A group of students were setting up their school auditorium for a rock concert to be held over the weekend.
The students used a ramp to get one of the large speakers onto the stage. The students know that Work = Force x Distance. Which of the following BEST explains the advantage of using the ramp instead of lifting the speaker onto the stage?
a
Less force is required by using the ramp.
b
More energy is created by using the ramp
c
The amount of work done is decreased by using the ramp.
d
The mass of the speaker is reduced by using the ramp.
a) Less force is required by using the ramp.
The correct answer is:
a) Less force is required by using the ramp.
Explanation:
When using a ramp, the force required to move an object, in this case, the speaker, is reduced. This is because a ramp allows for a longer distance over which the force is applied. By spreading the force over a longer distance, less force is needed to move the speaker onto the stage. This makes it easier for the students to set up the speaker and reduces the risk of injury or strain. Therefore, using a ramp provides an advantage by reducing the amount of force required to move the speaker, compared to lifting it directly onto the stage.