Acceleration of an inclined plane?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the required incline angle and height for a ramp of 1.143 meters to achieve an acceleration of 0.5 m/s², disregarding friction and weight. The key equation used is a = g sin(θ), where g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²). Participants confirm that this equation is appropriate for determining the component of gravitational acceleration parallel to the incline. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationship between incline angle, height, and acceleration.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, particularly Newton's laws of motion.
  • Familiarity with trigonometric functions, specifically sine and its application in inclined planes.
  • Knowledge of gravitational acceleration, specifically the value of g (9.8 m/s²).
  • Ability to manipulate equations to solve for unknown variables.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the derivation of the equation a = g sin(θ) for inclined planes.
  • Explore the effects of friction on inclined plane acceleration.
  • Study the relationship between ramp height and angle using trigonometric identities.
  • Investigate real-world applications of inclined planes in engineering and physics.
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, educators teaching mechanics, and engineers involved in designing ramps or inclined surfaces will benefit from this discussion.

iloveephysics
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If I have a ramp that is 1.143 meters long, and I need to make it incline at a certain angle and height to make sure the acceleration is .5 m/s^2, how would I go about doing that without taking friction into account and without weighing anything?
 
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How might you find the component of the acceleration due to gravity parallel to the incline?
 
i am so lost on this, not sure if it's just trial and error or if I can use some type of equation
 
do i do a=gsin(theta) where g is 9.8
 
iloveephysics said:
do i do a=gsin(theta) where g is 9.8
Exactly.
 

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