Work is force multiplied by distance. Because both Connie and Sam moved the same weight the same distance they have done an equal amount of work. Sam employed the mechnacial advantage of an inclined plane so he exerted less effort to do the work but the amount of work done was still the same.

The wedge is a moving inclined plane that is used to lift, hold, or break apart an object. A wedge converts force applied to its blunt end into force perpendicular to its inclined surface. In contrast to a stationary plane where force is applied to the object being moved, with a wedge the object is stationary and the force is being applied to the plane. Examples of a wedge include knives and chisels.

According to Boyle's Law, pressure and volume are inversely proportional:

\( \frac{P_1}{P_2} \) = \( \frac{V_2}{V_1} \)

In this problem, V₂ = 20 ft.³, V₁ = 45 ft.³ and P₁ = 9.0 psi. Solving for P₂:

P₂ = \( \frac{P_1}{\frac{V_2}{V_1}} \) = \( \frac{9.0 psi}{\frac{20 ft.^3}{45 ft.^3}} \) = 20.3 psi

Torque measures force applied during rotation: τ = rF.  Torque (τ, the Greek letter tau) = the radius of the lever arm (r) multiplied by the force (F) applied. Radius is measured from the center of rotation or fulcrum to the point at which the perpendicular force is being applied. The resulting unit for torque is newton-meter (N-m) or foot-pound (ft-lb).

To balance this lever the torques on each side of the fulcrum must be equal. Torque is weight x distance from the fulcrum so the equation for equilibrium is:

R_ad_a = R_bd_b

Solving for d_b, our missing value, and plugging in our variables yields:

d_b = \( \frac{R_ad_a}{R_b} \) = \( \frac{45 lbs. \times 1 ft.}{40 lbs.} \) = \( \frac{45 ft⋅lb}{40 lbs.} \) = 1.13 ft.