Angle of Repose: What is it & How Does It Relate to the Body?

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The angle of repose is the maximum incline at which an object can remain stationary without sliding, applicable to both physical objects and natural formations. It also describes the natural angle of a conical heap of loose material, such as coal, when poured from above. In nature, ant lions utilize the angle of repose to create effective pit traps for ants, where the trap's walls are at this critical angle, making escape difficult for the prey. The larvae further complicate the escape by dislodging sand grains, increasing the challenge for the trapped ants. Overall, the angle of repose is significant in both mechanical contexts and ecological interactions.
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What is Angle of repose? All I know is something related to the body on an inclined plane slipping or at rest. Can someone explain?
 
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It's the maximum angle of incline where an object can remain at rest without sliding down.
 
@Doc Al , Thanks!
 
It also used to refer to the natural angle ( above horizontal ) of the side of a cone shape of loose material poured directly from above ( ie a heap of coal )
 
Ant lions also depend on the angle of repose when they dig pit traps for ants in sandy soils. Ant lions are not mammals, they are insects.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antlion

Ants that enter the pit trap scramble with poor footing to escape, while the larvae at the bottom of the pit lobs grains of sand at the intended prey. Poor purchase results from the fact that the ant lion's trap walls are exactly at the angle of repose for the material. So the ant or other bug scrambling up the trap wall is at a huge disadvantage. The lobbing of sand grains further dislodges the trap wall grains above the scrambling ant.
 
dean barry said:
It also used to refer to the natural angle ( above horizontal ) of the side of a cone shape of loose material poured directly from above ( ie a heap of coal )
Yes, the term has multiple meanings. But the context of mechanics was clear.
 
Ant lions being closer i presume.
 
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