Question

Marla and Jaxon are hiking outdoors. Jaxon runs straight up the hill, while Marla walks in circular paths around it until she reaches the top. The diagram shows the routes taken by both hikers.



Marla told Jaxon that she used a simple machine, an inclined plane, to walk up the hill. Which statement best compares the ways Marla and Jaxon climbed the hill?

(1 point)
Responses

Jaxon did more work than Marla because he ran quickly up the hill.
Jaxon did more work than Marla because he ran quickly up the hill.

Marla and Jaxon did the same amount of work, but Marla had more of a mechanical advantage.
Marla and Jaxon did the same amount of work, but Marla had more of a mechanical advantage.

Marla did more work than Jaxon because she walked a longer distance.
Marla did more work than Jaxon because she walked a longer distance.

Marla and Jaxon did the same amount of work, but Marla had less of a mechanical advantage.
Marla and Jaxon did the same amount of work, but Marla had less of a mechanical advantage.
Skip to navigation

Answer 1

Marla and Jaxon did the same amount of work, but Marla had more of a mechanical advantage.

Reason: Both gained the same vertical height, so they did the same work against gravity (W = m g Δh). Marla’s longer, gentler path (an inclined plane) reduces the force she must exert at any moment, giving her a mechanical advantage even though the total work is the same.