What is Inclined plane: Definition and 820 Discussions

An inclined plane, also known as a ramp, is a flat supporting surface tilted at an angle, with one end higher than the other, used as an aid for raising or lowering a load. The inclined plane is one of the six classical simple machines defined by Renaissance scientists. Inclined planes are widely used to move heavy loads over vertical obstacles; examples vary from a ramp used to load goods into a truck, to a person walking up a pedestrian ramp, to an automobile or railroad train climbing a grade.Moving an object up an inclined plane requires less force than lifting it straight up, at a cost of an increase in the distance moved. The mechanical advantage of an inclined plane, the factor by which the force is reduced, is equal to the ratio of the length of the sloped surface to the height it spans. Due to conservation of energy, the same amount of mechanical energy (work) is required to lift a given object by a given vertical distance, disregarding losses from friction, but the inclined plane allows the same work to be done with a smaller force exerted over a greater distance.The angle of friction, also sometimes called the angle of repose, is the maximum angle at which a load can rest motionless on an inclined plane due to friction, without sliding down. This angle is equal to the arctangent of the coefficient of static friction μs between the surfaces.Two other simple machines are often considered to be derived from the inclined plane. The wedge can be considered a moving inclined plane or two inclined planes connected at the base. The screw consists of a narrow inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder.The term may also refer to a specific implementation; a straight ramp cut into a steep hillside for transporting goods up and down the hill. It may include cars on rails or pulled up by a cable system; a funicular or cable railway, such as the Johnstown Inclined Plane.

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  1. M

    Why does mass not affect sliding speed down an inclined plane?

    I think that both kids experience the same acceleration (irrespective of mass) since the only force pushing them downwards is acceleration due to gravity, which is the same for both of them. Thus, since they start sliding down the hill at the same time (assumption), and are accelerating at the...
  2. Ineedhelpwithphysics

    Inclined Plane Vector Problem: Understanding the Use of Trigonometric Functions

    I'm not really asking for a solution for this problem I just want to clear up a confusion I have. Why are they multiplying the weight by the sin and cosine of the 30-degree angle? Isn't weight not affected by anything since it's constant? Also is the angle of friction 0 because it's a...
  3. Lotto

    How much time do I have to catch a coin?

    I am a bit confused with velocities in this problem. From Philipp's view, the coin's initial velocity is zero, so its transfer kinetic energy is also zero. When I am standing on a non-moving ground, is the coin's initial velocity ##v## in direction the walkway is moving? But won't I get then...
  4. Rick16

    I Lagrangian approach for the inclined plane

    I want to use the Lagrangian approach to find the equation of motion for a mass sliding down a frictionless inclined plane. I call the length of the incline a and the angle that the incline makes with the horizontal b. Then the mass has kinetic energy 1/2m(da/dt)2 and the potential energy should...
  5. PhysicsRock

    D'Alembert's principle on inclined plane problem

    The virtual displacement should be given by $$ \delta\vec{r} = \begin{pmatrix} \cos(\alpha) \\ \sin(\alpha) \\ \end{pmatrix} \delta s $$ where ##\delta s## is a displacement parallel to the plane. The relevant force should be the gravitational force, as given above. Thus, the equations of...
  6. A

    Final velocity involving a can of soup and an inclined plane

    a = 9.8*sin(25*pi/180)=>a=4.1417 m/s^2 vf^2=vi^2+2*a*s=>vf=sqrt(0^2+2*4.1417*3)=>vf=4.9850 m/s Meanwhile the correct answer is: (vf+vi)/2=>(vf+0)/2=2=>vf=4 m/s Why is my answer wrong? It seems that the acceleration is what is wrong, but I don't understand why.
  7. C

    Conductor rolling down an inclined plane in a vertical B-field

    For part (c) of this problem, My working is However, the tricky part is to find theta. I tried to draw the situation so that I could find theta: It appears that theta = 90 degrees. However, this does not seem to be correct. Does anybody please know how to correctly find theta in terms of...
  8. G

    Fluid mechanics: water jet impacting an inclined plane

    I was looking at an example of fluid mechanics and I don't understand this. Statement figures: CONTINUITY EQUATION $$\left. \dfrac{dm}{dt}\right]_{MC}=(\dot{m}_2+\dot{m}_3)-\dot{m}_1=0$$ $$\dot{m}_1=\dot{m}_2+\dot{m}_3$$ $$\rho c_1A_1=\rho c_2A_2+\rho c_3A_3$$ $$\rho c_1 h1=\rho c_2 a1+\rho...
  9. Spector989

    Conservation of momentum and mechanical energy on an inclined plane

    So i am tried to conserve momentum and use conservation of mechanical energy but won't there be psuedo force acting on the block if i am solving from non inertial frame ?. If i ignore the pseudo force and simply use C.O.M.E and include the K.E of the wedge and solve normally i do get the...
  10. Y

    Friction problem in HS physics -- Mass moving on an inclined plane

    This is a homework problem of my grand daughter. The question is to find out the conditions of an object M on a slope with angle shown and applied force "F". I find there are 3 conditions, sliding up, sliding down and not moving. This is my work. I just want to get comments on my work: At the...
  11. E

    B Normal Force Discrepancy for Wedge Vs. Ramp

    I have seen a few posts on this subject before, but none have really answered my question. For clarity, I will refer to the 1st example as a wedge, and the second as a ramp (although both are of course inclined planes). With both examples that I outline below, we will assume no friction, and a...
  12. Tanreom

    I How does a screw roll down an inclined plane?

    I was thinking about how various objects would slide down on an inclined plane, and I just couldn't figure this problem out. So let's say I have this screw or cone on its side, on an inclined plane. If friction exists, what would the motion of the screw be as it slides down the inclined plane...
  13. LCSphysicist

    Bragg angle with an inclined plane through a square lattice

    Suppose a square lattice. The planes are such as the image below: I light wave incides perpendicular to the square lattice. The first maximum occurs for bragg angle (angle with the plane (griding angle) as ##\theta_B = 30°## (blue/green), green/blue in the figure). The angle that the...
  14. N

    A-level Maths Mechanics: Prevent Block from Sliding Down Inclined Plane

    The best I could do was draw a forces diagram. I know that friction would be working up when the block is on the point of slipping down the plane and friction will be acting down the slope against the direction of motion when the block is on the point of slipping up the slope. (not even sure if...
  15. Y

    Preventing a block from sliding down a frictionless inclined plane

    hey i would like to understand something, i solve this question but i don't understand why my answer is right, first of all we learn that in problems like this we need to disassemble into components the mg and that what i try to do here but i didnt get the right answer so then i try to do same...
  16. rudransh verma

    B Confusion with orientation of coordinate axis in inclined plane

    When we take the x-axis parallel to incline surface its clear that the horizontal component of weight is causing the block to come down but when we take the standard orientation its not so clear to me. Is horizontal component of ##F_N## causing the block to come down? <Moderator's note: Use of...
  17. A

    I Forces to move on the level versus up an inclined plane

    If on a flat ground, we exert a force F to move forward, then we go to an incline plane of theta degrees. Why wouldn't the force F2 to move up the incline plane with respect to ground be F2*cos(theta) = F --> F2 = F/cos(theta) disregarding the effects of gravity?
  18. rudransh verma

    A mass sliding down the inclined plane -- Will it stop?

    For lower half ,$$Fnet=-\mu F_N+mg\sin \phi$$ For upper half, $$v^2=u^2+2as$$ (s is half of the total slant distance) $$v^2=0+2\frac{mg\sin \phi}ms$$ $$v=\sqrt{2g\sin \phi s}$$ again for lower half, $$v^2=u^2+2as$$ $$0=2g\sin \phi s+2\frac{-\mu F_N+mg\sin \phi}ms$$ $$\mu=\frac{2gm\sin...
  19. L

    Inclined plane with pulley and spring

    1) By the Work-Energy Theorem, ##W=K_f-K_i=\frac{1}{2}I_{0}\omega^2=\frac{L^2}{2I_0}.## 2) By assuming that the initial length of the spring is ##0##, calling its final length ##S## and ##T## the tension in the rope connecting the pulley and mass ##m_p## I have: ##\begin{cases}(kS-T)r=0\\ m_p...
  20. rudransh verma

    Two Blocks, a Pulley and an Inclined Plane

    1. ##-f_k\cos\theta-T\cos\theta+F_n\cos\alpha=m_2a_x## 2. ##f_k\sin\theta+T\sin\theta+F_n\sin\alpha-m_2g=-m_2a_y## 3. ##T-m_1g=m_1a_y## I am unable to get anywhere. There are accelerations in x , y directions. I need the value of acceleration. Then I can simply use ##s=ut+\frac12at^2##
  21. Y

    Mass slipping on a moving inclined plane

    Body A rests on a inclined plane of body B . the angle of slope is α , the coefficient of friction between the two bodies is μ . Body A does not slip on body B because we accelerate body B with a. What is the minimum and maximum acceleration required for body A not to slip? What will be the...
  22. Istiak

    Find equation of motion of an inclined plane when there's friction

    It's the body. So there's friction on that plane and there's tension also. $$L=\frac{1}{2}m_1\dot{x}^2+\frac{1}{2}m_2\dot{x}^2-m_2g(l-x)-m_1gx\sin\theta$$ $$f=\mu N=-\mu m_1 g\dot{x}\cos\theta$$ I had found the frictional force's equation from [the...
  23. Huzaifa

    Rolling without slipping down an inclined plane

    The acceleration and velocity of a body rolling down without slipping on a frictionless inclined plane are given by $$ a=\dfrac{mg\sin \theta }{m+\dfrac{I}{r^{2}}}=\dfrac{g\sin \theta }{1+\dfrac{K^{2}}{r^{2}}} \cdots(1) $$ $$...
  24. T

    Circular motion of a mass on a string on an inclined plane

    (I drew motion in the opposite direction so the object would rotate trigonometrically but it should be the same thing) I have just finished the Kinetic Energy and Work chapter in my course and this is the last problem from the problem set. I have not worked many problems with the Work-Kinetic...
  25. vibha_ganji

    Alonso and Finn Volume 1 Chapter 4 -- A sphere is held against a wall by an inclined plane

    I’m pretty sure that the force on the sphere by the wall and plane has to equal mg so the sum of the normal force is steered by the wall and plane has to equal mg. I’m not sure where to go after this. Is mg the answer or is there something I’m missing?Here is Fig: 4-31:
  26. R

    Show that a projectile lands at a distance ##R = \frac{2v_0^2 sin \theta cos(\theta + \phi)}{g cos^2 \phi}##

    ##V_x = V_0 cos \theta ## ##x = V_0 cos \theta t## ##V_y = V_0 cos \theta ## ##y = V_0 cos \theta t## ##F_x = m\ddot{x}## ##-mgsin \phi = m\ddot{x}## ##\dot{x} = -gtsin\phi + V_x## ##x = -\frac{1}{2} gt^2 sin \phi + V_x t## ##x = -\frac{1}{2} gt^2 sin \phi + v_0 cos\theta t## ##F_y =...
  27. J

    Inclined plane FBD for latch mechanism

    I apologize if this is the wrong area to post this in, I've never posted on thisforum before. I'm trying to form a FBD of a mechanism that uses linear motion to actuate a pin in a transverse direction. I've attached the general idea in a picture where the pin is free to move up and down. In...
  28. Rikudo

    A mass collides with an inclined plane

    In my textbook, it is stated that "if an object elastically hit an frictionless inclined surface with angle between the vector of initial velocity and an imaginary line that is perpendicular to the surface ##\alpha##,then the angle between the line and final velocity vector will also be...
  29. A

    The body slides off an inclined plane

    ma = mg * sinα - fmg * cosα a = g (sinα-f * cosα) v = g*t(sinα - f * cosα) 14.7 = 10 * 2 (sin60 - f * cos60) f = 0.26 Can someone please check if my solution is correct? I'd really appreciate that.
  30. R

    Dynamics question -- 3 masses on a pulley-rope system on an inclined plane

    This image was provided, I've completed the first part of the question and got a = 4.8m/s^2 as well as T1= 24.5N and T2=34.3N. not sure about my answers though. also I don't understand the mass in static equilibrium part, can anyone explain how to solve that? Thanks.
  31. S

    Motion of box on inclined plane connected by spring to a wall

    a) When the system is in motion for the first time, the force causing ##M## to move is contact force with ##m## so: $$\Sigma F=M.a$$ $$N \sin \alpha=M.a$$ $$mg \cos \alpha \sin \alpha =M.a$$ $$a=\frac{mg \cos \alpha \sin \alpha}{M}$$ Is that correct? b) Is acceleration of ##m## the same as...
  32. ineedhelpthanks

    Inclined plane problem without mass or coefficient of friction given

    Confused how to approach problem after making a free body diagram and finding the length of the inclined plane
  33. Kaushik

    Find the frictional force acting on a solid cylinder

    This was the answer key provided: My questions are the following: if the force required for rotational equilibrium is more than the limiting static friction, then the body will rotate aka slip over the surface. When it slips, the frictional force will be kinetic and not static, right? If I...
  34. B

    Calculate the amount of torque and power needed on an inclined plane

    I have calculated the force equation on the x-plane which is f - mgsin(30) - friction force = ma and from the equation vf = vi + at resulting a = v/10
  35. S

    Acceleration of objects connected by pulley on rough inclined plane

    Summary:: Please see the picture below Let say: ##W_1## is weight of ##m_1## ##W_2## is weight of ##m_2## ##f_1## is friction on ##m_1## ##f_2## is friction on ##m_2## I want to find the acceleration of the system. Since I don't know in which direction they will move, I just assume ##m_1##...
  36. X

    Free inclined plane and a block sliding on it

    Hi, I'm missing something really stupid here... The problem is the usual one with a block sliding down (or moving up, it should be the same) a frictionless inclined plane,which itself is free to move on a orizontal frictionless surface. These problems are usually solved stating that only...
  37. E

    Rolling 3 objects on an inclined plane

    Hello there, I have a question regarding this problem. I have no problem with part A. However, in part B, my solution manual states that the hollow cylinder will reach the bottom last. Why is it? I mean shouldn't the solid cylinder and the hollow one reach the bottom at the same time? you know...
  38. Z

    Find the range of an object coming off an inclined plane

    Hey Everyone, my physics teacher has assigned us a task which involves predicting the range of a ball falling down an inclined plane into a free-fall, the equation for the final velocity of the ball down the ramp, accounting for rotational velocity has been provided, this is the initial velocity...
  39. A

    Physics problem relating to an inclined plane and a spring oscillation

    Hello! So my main and first problem about this question is, I do not know what the problem is about. What I mean by that is, in class we talked about pendulums and are given formulas and assignments regarding pendulums. But this problem here does not seem like it has anything to do with...
  40. S

    Determining the angle while dealing with friction on an inclined plane

    Hello! So the way I have tried to solve this problem is the following;Since it is an inclined plane and the cofficient of static friction is known, getting to the angle at which the box starts sliding is the following ##μH = \frac {sin (\alpha)} {cos(\alpha)} = μH = tan(\alpha) ## ## \alpha =...
  41. A

    Dynamics problem involving an inclined plane and Friction

    So after trying to calculate the horizontal forces to solve it: f + Wx(gravity force component of x) - Fy ( the Force that is supposedly giving the the acceleration) = 0 It got to me that the question said "plane has the acceleration" is that even possible? Unless the plane is another object...
  42. king_harsh

    Spring and block on an inclined plane

    A block of mass 0.2 kg which slides without friction on a θ = 30° incline is connected to the top of the incline by a mass-less spring of relaxed length of 23.75 cm and spring constant 80 N/m as shown in the following figure. (a) How far from the top of the incline does the block stop? (b) If...
  43. E

    Ball on a rotating inclined plane

    I have problems to even start with this exercise.
  44. pkreilley

    Two Masses, a Pulley, and an Inclined Plane

    I solved for T on m1 and arrived at 6.72. I plugged that value into the ΣFx equation as shown above (pardon my handwriting) and got a mass of 0.88 kg. The online program indicated that I needed to check my expression for tension, noting that the two tensions are heading in opposite directions...
  45. T

    A ball thrown at an angle above an inclined plane

    I understand how the diagram below determined the ##x## and ##y## axis for the velocity vectors but I don't understand the gravity vectors. What I don't understand about the gravity vectors is why is ##-mg## in the ##y-##axis equal to ##-mg\cos\theta## and the ##x-##axis is equal to...
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