Final answer:
A wedge allows you to exert a smaller force over a longer distance to lift a heavier load. However, the tradeoff is that you need to exert the force over a greater distance in order to achieve the same amount of work.
Step-by-step explanation:
When using a wedge to lift a load, there is a tradeoff between the force applied and the distance over which the force is exerted. A wedge allows you to exert a smaller force over a longer distance to lift a heavier load. This is known as the mechanical advantage of the wedge. However, the tradeoff is that you need to exert the force over a greater distance in order to achieve the same amount of work.
For example, if you were using a wedge to split a block of wood, you would need to exert a force over a shorter distance to drive the wedge into the wood. As a result, the force exerted by the wedge would be greater, but the distance it travels into the wood would be smaller. Conversely, if you were using a longer wedge, you would need to exert a smaller force over a longer distance to achieve the same amount of work.