Which simple machine is described as an inclined plane with one or two sloping sides?

Which simple machine is described as an inclined plane with one or two sloping sides?

• A. Inclined Plane
• B. Screw
• C. Wedge
• D. Compound Machine

Answer: (C)

A wedge is formed by two inclined planes joined at a thin edge. That edge concentrates force along a sharp line, allowing the wedge to split, cut, or pry apart materials when you drive it in. So describing it as an inclined plane with one or two sloping sides fits a wedge perfectly—the two sloping surfaces meet at the edge to perform tasks like cutting or splitting. The other options don’t fit this description: an inclined plane by itself is just a single ramp, a screw is a spiraled inclined plane around a cylinder, and a compound machine combines multiple simple machines.

A wedge is formed by two inclined planes joined at a thin edge. That edge concentrates force along a sharp line, allowing the wedge to split, cut, or pry apart materials when you drive it in. So describing it as an inclined plane with one or two sloping sides fits a wedge perfectly—the two sloping surfaces meet at the edge to perform tasks like cutting or splitting.

The other options don’t fit this description: an inclined plane by itself is just a single ramp, a screw is a spiraled inclined plane around a cylinder, and a compound machine combines multiple simple machines.