Why do we use a wooden plank to lift heavy loads?

Answer 1

Wood is often used to store things on or lift with as it is strong enough, yet has a bit of flexibility. The surface of the wood is quite forgiving, in the sense that it is less likely to damage heavy goods, unlike metal on metal.

^^^^^ This above doesnt explain the physics really behind it.

We use a length of wood to lift heavy loads due to the leverage it creates. This comes from the principle of moments. When there is a greatr distance from the pivot, this means that there will be less force needed to lift the heavy load upon the plank of wood at the fulcrum. The same applies for why we use a wrench to screw something and not our fingers. This increases the distance from the pivot, and thus we can exert less force upon the pivot to turn the screw. Hopefully this analogy worked for you.

Answer 2

Wood is commonly used for lifting heavy loads because it is strong, readily available, and provides a large surface area for distributing weight. The plank helps create leverage and makes it easier to move or lift heavy objects safely.