Friction on an inclined ramp

gcatal

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

A cart slides down an inclined ramp at is 1.44m long. The height of the ramp is .10m. The angle of incline of the ramp is not given. The work done by the friction is -.06. I need to find the friction force.



2. Relevant equations

Work done by the friction = Friction force * d cos theta.



3. The attempt at a solution

When looking through my books, I found what appears to be two contradictory ways of determining theta - 1) by using sin (sin theta = .10/1.44) so the angle of incline is 4 or 2) by using 180 for theta because the friction force is acting in the opposite direction. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks for your help.

G01

[tex] W_{Friction}=Fd\cos \theta[/tex]

Here, theta is the angle between the displacement vector, d and the friction force vector.

What direction does d point in?

What direction does the friction vector point in?


If you can answer the above equations, you can answer the following:
What is the angle between them?

Hopefully, this helps lead you on the right path. See if you can solve this now.

gcatal

So, as the friction vector is traveling in the opposite direction of the displacement vector, then I should go with cos 180.

Earlier, I used the angle of incline (sin theta = .10/1.44) to determine the coefficient of friction of a block on the ramp (e.g. in mg sin theta & mg cos theta) Was this correct?