An inclined plane is a flat sloping surface that reduces the force required to raise a load by trading force for distance. Parameters: (1) flat rigid surface, (2) angled relative to horizontal, (3) converts a large vertical force applied over a short distance into a smaller force applied over a longer path. Persistence: maintained through physics education, engineering design practice, and tool geometry specification (e.g. ramps, chisel faces, wedge profiles). [formal: inclinatae planum | substrate: mind | horizon: a life | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
inclined plane
An inclined plane is a flat sloping surface that reduces the force required to raise a load by trading force for distance. Parameters: (1) flat rigid surface, (2) angled relative to horizontal, (3) converts a large vertical force applied o…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A human-made mechanical concept: a flat sloping surface that reduces required force by trading distance for magnitude. The concept — not the natural slope — is what qualifies. Persisted through physics education, engineering design, and tool geometry specification.
Names and aliases
- inclined planeen · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmru173ob00evv7faw8ip5r83INSTANCE_OF →
An inclined plane is a specific kind of simple machine — a flat sloping surface trading force for distance. 'An inclined plane is a simple machine' per Law 9. Simple-machine is the nearest kind, not lever (sibling simple machine).
Relations to this entry
- cmso0hi7w0084jlss7x0bk54f← DERIVED_FROM
The screw is a direct application of the inclined plane principle — an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder. Which came first? The inclined plane as a concept predates the screw. The inclined plane fed into the design of the screw, making this a genuine derivation.
- cmsnyus1e0034jlsss4ukejxg← DERIVED_FROM
The wedge is a moving inclined plane — the inclined plane concept (a fixed ramp) existed first and fed into the wedge concept (a portable, moving inclined plane). Which came first? The fixed inclined plane predates the wedge; the wedge is derived from applying the inclined plane principle to a moving form.
Record identity
- Created
- Aug 11, 2026, 1:22 AM UTC
- Content hash
- f92cf56d43ce0d56f7a38134127100ef52b3062ff19a66c3f93bcb93b7e007f6