Final answer:
Using an inclined plane allows a force to be exerted over a longer distance, resulting in a force that is less than the output force needed to lift an object vertically. This is due to the division of the object's weight into two components on the incline.
Step-by-step explanation:
When using an inclined plane to move an object, it allows you to exert a force over a longer distance. As a result, the force you exert is less than the output force needed to lift the object directly vertically upwards. This is because when working with an inclined plane, the weight of the object is distributed into two components: a force acting perpendicular to the plane, which is equal to the normal force, and a force acting parallel to the plane, which is the part of the weight you must overcome to push the object up the inclined plane.
Moreover, the work done when moving the object up an inclined plane is the same as lifting it directly up without an inclined plane, providing there is negligible friction. Inclined planes reduce the amount of force required by extending the distance over which the force is applied, adhering to the principle of conservation of energy.