Wedge

The wedge:

Is a variation of the inclined plane

While the inclined plane stays stationary:

The wedge is designed to move

The inclined plane can also be used for many purposes such as:

Lifting, Splitting, and tightening

The mechanical advantage that can be gained with a wedge:

Is determined by the ratio of its length to its height

Making the wedge longer relative to its height(that is, with a smaller slope) will decrease the amount of lift that takes place as the wedge is moved horizontally which:

Increases the amount of force that can be generated by the wedge and makes it easier to lift heavy objects

Remember that if force is increased by the wedge:

Then the distance it will lift will be less than the distance it moved horizontally

Common applications of the wedge include:

Knives, Chisels, and Log Splitters