Wedges are simple machines that help change the direction of forces.

They are made up of two slanted surfaces that come together to form a sharp edge.

When you push a wedge into something, it pushes down and to the sides. This helps split or lift the object apart.

How Wedges Change Forces:

1. Direction of Force:

   • When you push down on a wedge, it not only goes down but also pushes outwards. This helps break things apart or lift heavy items.

2. Mechanical Advantage:

   • Wedges let you use a small push to move a heavier load. This is called mechanical advantage.
   • You can figure this out with a simple formula: $\text{MA} = \frac{\text{Length of Wedge}}{\text{Width at the Thick End}}$
   • For example, if a wedge is 10 cm long and 2 cm thick, the mechanical advantage is: $\text{MA} = \frac{10}{2} = 5$
   • This means that the wedge helps you do work that is five times easier.

3. Where We Use Wedges:

   • You can find wedges in tools like axes for chopping wood, knives for cutting, and doorstops to keep doors open.
   • They can be very effective! For instance, a wedge with a 30-degree angle can create a force about 3.46 times stronger than the force you push down with.

In short, wedges are important tools that help us change how forces work and make it easier to do many tasks.