AP Physics B Course Description Multiple Choice #3-4

[moose97]

Homework Statement

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap-physics-course-description.pdf

Page 45

Homework Equations

sinθ = opp/hyp

tanθ = opp/adj

cosθ = adj/hyp

G ≈ 10 m/{s}^2

The Attempt at a Solution

I know that the weight is a force pointing downwards (towards the center of the Earth) and the normal force is perpendicular to the plane. The inclined plane is a 30-60-90 triangle. However, I'm having trouble figuring out which equations to use exactly (our teacher gave these problems to us at the start of AP Physics without any instruction. They are kind of like a heads-up for us to know what kind of questions we should be expecting).

 

[rock.freak667]

When you split the weight into two components, one perpendicular to the plane and one parallel, the one perpendicular is your normal force and the one parallel is what causes the block to slide down the plane.

So you need to find that parallel component.