Question

A block (mass 9.0 kg) is released from rest on a frictionless slope angled at 37° to the horizontal. Draw a diagram with labelled vectors for forces/acceleration. What is the block's acceleration?

Answer 1

Answer:

Force diagram is attached here.

Acceleration of the mass down the inclined plane is independent of its mass.

ma = mg sin 37

or Acceleration = a = g sin 37 = 5.9 m/s/s.

Explanation:

The object sliding down the inclined plane has several forces acting on it.

Forces are labelled here as 1, 2, 3, 4.

Force 1 = Normal force that acts at right angles to the inclined surface.

Force 2 : Parallel component of the gravitational force

                = mg sin 37.

Force 3: Mass x Acceleration due to gravity = Weight

This is the gravity force that acts perpendicular to the  

floor or ground.  

Force 4 : Perpendicular component of the gravitational force  = mg cos 37.