Question

How does the magnitude of the normal force exerted by the ramp in the figure compare to the weight of the static block? The normal force is:______ a. greater than the weight of the block. b. possibly greater than or less than the weight of the block, depending on whether or not the ramp surface is smooth. c. equal to the weight of the block. d. possibly greater than or equal to the weight of the block, depending on whether or not the ramp surface is smooth. less than the weight of the block.

Answer 1

Answer:

less than the weight of the block.

Explanation:

From the free body diagram, we get.

The normal force is N = Mg cosθ

The tension in the string is T = Mg sinθ

Wight of the block when the block is static, W = Mg

Now since the magnitude of cosθ is in the range of : 0 < cosθ < 1,

therefore, the normal force is less than the weight of the static block.