I am learning about various types of simple machines like levers, pulleys, ramps at the moment. And in researching about them I see that in all of them even though the work performed stays the same, the way they offer an advantage in performing work ( meaning reducing force applied) is that either distance of work performed increases or the direction of force changes. This makes sense when I think of it mathematically in terms of the w= force * distance equation. But I feel like I am still not satisfied with this explanation and wanted to get a more conceptual explanation of how exactly these machines reduce the force/effort applied.
Like how does increase the distance of lever, ramp or rope pulled exactly reduce force? When the force I (as a human being) apply is reduced is something else like gravity or the rope or the fulcrum or the material of the lever compensating for the amount of force I didn’t have to apply? What is happening at the molecular level that if I push a load up a ramp more distance I don’t have to exert as much force as I would have to if I directly lift the load with my hands without the ramp? If anyone can add anything to this question, I would greatly appreciate it? Thanks.