Calculate Weight Component on Inclined Plane

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the weight component of a box on an inclined plane set at an angle of 30 degrees. The original poster presents the problem of determining the magnitude of the weight component acting parallel to the incline, represented by the vector W.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between weight, mass, and gravitational force, with some attempting to apply trigonometric functions to find the parallel component of weight. Questions arise regarding the necessary formulas and the implications of not knowing the mass.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the relationship between weight and mass, suggesting that W can be expressed as mg. There is acknowledgment of simplifying the problem, but no explicit consensus has been reached regarding the final approach or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the challenge of working with an unknown mass (M) while trying to express the weight component in terms of W. The problem is framed within the constraints of a homework assignment, which may influence the discussion dynamics.

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Homework Statement


the weight of a box on a plane inclined at 30 def is represented by the vector W. What is the magnitude of the component of the weight that acts parallel to the incline.
Answer is given in terms of W
possible anwsers .5W 1.5W .87W and W


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


M x g x sin(30)= 4.9
??
not sure what formula is needed to be used here
 
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W = mg. So
W*sinθ = ?
 
You don't know M, but you do know that W = M*g
so you have W*sin(30) = 0.5*W
 
wow i made it so much harder than what it needed to be thanks
 

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