Acceleration with inclined ramp (Frictionless)

[Sinusoidal]

1. What is the acceleration of a skateboard down a ramp inclined at 19.5 degrees to the horizontal?

3.271 is the answer.




2. I know g Sin$$\vartheta$$ is the equation to get it, but I don't get why it isn't g divided by Sin$$\vartheta$$



3. In my head I thought the picture was like this:

I know this should be something super easy, so please explain. haha

 

[hp-p00nst3r]

g sin theta gives you the component of the acceleration of gravity along the incline.
g/sin theta would give you a number larger than 9.81m/s^2 which would make absolutely no sense.

 

[Sinusoidal]

g sin theta gives you the component of the acceleration of gravity along the incline.
g/sin theta would give you a number larger than 9.81m/s^2 which would make absolutely no sense.

Right, but the first statement still confuses me. Is there a picture you could go by for this?

 

[hp-p00nst3r]

This should help you

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/6905/accelerationvectorgh9.jpg

 

[Sinusoidal]

Okay, that totally makes sense now. Thanks! :)