Final answer:
Pushing a crate up a ramp uses more distance but less force due to the mechanical advantage provided by the ramp.
Step-by-step explanation:
By pushing a crate up a ramp rather than lifting it directly to the platform, you are using more distance; less force. This is because the ramp provides a mechanical advantage by increasing the distance over which the force is applied, allowing you to use less force to achieve the same vertical displacement. The fact that the crate gains mechanical energy when pushed up the ramp indicates that even though the distance is increased, the person does not necessarily have to apply a greater force compared to lifting it straight up, as long as the force applied over the longer distance equals the work done against gravity. When you push a crate up a ramp, factors such as friction and the gravitational force work against the person's push, but the mechanical advantage of the ramp means less force is required, albeit over a greater distance.