An oil barrel weighing $600\text{ N}$ needs to be rolled into a truck bed $1.5\text{ m}$ high. Worker A uses…
An oil barrel weighing $600\text{ N}$ needs to be rolled into a truck bed $1.5\text{ m}$ high. Worker A uses a wooden plank of length $3\text{ m}$, while Worker B uses a wooden plank of length $6\text{ m}$. Assuming smooth surfaces, which worker applies less force?
Worker A, because a shorter plank requires less work time
Worker B, because a longer ramp reduces the slope and effort force
Both apply equal force because the truck height is the same
Worker A, because steepness increases mechanical advantage
Solution
For an inclined plane, mechanical advantage increases with ramp length for a fixed height. Worker B's longer ramp decreases the slope angle, requiring smaller effort force.