Two piles of heavy boxes must be lifted onto a shelf. Each pile has 20 boxes and each box is the same size and weight. Tom and Claudia are each responsible for a pile. Tom lifts each box straight up from the pile to the shelf. Claudia places a long, gradual ramp that leads from the pile to the shelf. She pushes each box up the ramp until it rests on the shelf. Part A
Compare the amount of force each person used when raising the boxes. Who used more force?

Part B
Compare the distance each person moved each box. Who moved the boxes a longer distance?

Part C
The work done to raise the pile of boxes was the same for both Tom and Claudia. The two factors that affect the amount of work done are force and distance. Explain the trade-off (compromise) between force and distance that each person made in doing the work.