inclined plane

American  

noun

1. one of the simple machines, a plane surface inclined inclined to the horizon, or forming with a horizontal plane any angle but a right angle.

2. incline.

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inclined plane British  

noun

1. a plane whose angle to the horizontal is less than a right angle

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inclined plane Scientific  

/ ĭn′klīnd′ /

1. A plane surface, such as a ramp or a blade, set at an acute angle to a horizontal surface, a direction of motion, or a direction of force. Inclined planes are used to increase the distance over which work is done, reducing the amount of force needed to impart energy to a system. Rolling a car up a hill, for example, requires less force than lifting it straight up off the ground. Many tools, such as the ax, wedge, chisel, and highway ramp, exploit the mechanical properties of the inclined plane.

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Etymology

Origin of inclined plane

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

The authors released a heap of the seeds down an inclined plane while a camera recorded their descent to analyze their speed and the dynamics of their movement.

From Science Daily • Nov. 19, 2024

“It’s like fourth grade science class, when you learn about simple machines. The inclined plane, the pulley, and the OXO garlic press.”

From Slate • Jun. 20, 2022

A cylinder is given a push and then rolls up an inclined plane.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Dip slip fault: An inclined plane along which subsurface plates move.

From Time • Mar. 13, 2014

He went on to consider what would happen if the second inclined plane were made shallower and shallower.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin

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