When using a rake, moving the handle end a small distance allows for raking ____ leaves at the other end.

Using a rake demonstrates the principle of mechanical advantage found in simple machines. When the handle of the rake is moved a small distance at the end where you hold it, the raking end covers a larger distance due to the length of the rake itself. This means that with your minimal movement, the raking motion at the other end is amplified, allowing you to gather more leaves efficiently.

The design of the rake—where a small effort put in at one end translates into a greater effect at the other—utilizes leverage and distance effectively. As a result, you effectively gather more leaves than the distance you moved the handle, showcasing how simple machines help accomplish work more efficiently by allowing a smaller input to yield a larger output.