What does a screw resemble in terms of simple machines?

A screw is best understood as an inclined plane that is wrapped around a cylinder. This is because a screw functions by converting rotational motion into linear motion, effectively allowing for the lifting or fastening of objects. The helical ridge (or the inclined plane) spirals around the central shaft, which is the cylindrical part of the screw. As the screw is turned, the inclined plane's sloped surface climbs upward or downward, resulting in the screw being drawn into or pushed out of a material. This design enables screws to hold objects together securely or to raise or lower heavy loads with relative ease, illustrating how inclined planes can distribute force over a distance.