In what way can an inclined plane reduce the effort needed to lift an object?

An inclined plane reduces the effort needed to lift an object by elongating the distance over which the force is applied. When you use an inclined plane, you are increasing the length of the path along which the object is moved. This allows the same weight to be lifted by applying a smaller force over a longer distance.

In contrast, lifting the object straight up requires a greater force to overcome gravity directly. By using the inclined plane, the force needed is spread out over that longer distance, effectively making it easier to lift the weight without needing to apply as much force at once. This principle is based on the mechanical advantage provided by the inclined plane, where the trade-off is that you must exert your force over a greater distance to achieve the same vertical height.