Question

By tilting the ramp at different angles, you can change the magnitude of the component of the gravitational force acting parallel to the ramp. If the downhill gravitational force is larger than the maximum value of the static friction force, the block will slide downhill. What is the largest angle (called the critical angle) that the ramp can have before the block starts to slide?

Answer 1

Explanation:

As the angle increases, the component of force parallel to the incline increases and the component of force perpendicular to the incline decreases. It is the parallel component of the weight vector that causes the acceleration. Thus, accelerations are greater at greater angles of incline.