Find Acceleration of a sliding object

AI Thread Summary
To find the acceleration of a 42 kg block of ice sliding down a 30-degree incline with negligible friction, the relevant equations include F=ma and W=mg. The weight of the block can be resolved into components along the incline using trigonometric functions, specifically calculating the force acting down the slope. Since there is no friction, only the gravitational component along the incline affects acceleration. The acceleration can be determined by applying the gravitational acceleration of 9.8 m/s² adjusted for the incline angle. This approach leads to the conclusion that the incline significantly influences the acceleration of the block.
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URGENT! Find Acceleration of a sliding object

Homework Statement


A 42 kg block of ice slides down a 30 degree plane. Assuming friction is negligible, what is the acceleration of the block down the incline


Homework Equations


F=ma
W=mg



The Attempt at a Solution


I have drawn the right free body diagram. I adjusted the x and y-axis so that the x-axis lines up with the incline. I am just stuck as to how to approach this problem. I am assuming I will be using F=ma and solving for a. I'm just confused because I don't really know how to find F. I have found the x and y components of the W (weight) of the free body with the 30 degree.
 
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what do you think will be the component of force along the incline?
 


We have just been taught about force of friction. I know that the incline is very important in determining acceleration
 


Weight will also be another force that will be important
 


The problem with Force of Friction is that the problem states that it is a frictionless surface
 


here there is no friction as its an ice block

use weight to find the the force on block along the incline
 


show us the free body diagram.
 


dhymas said:
Weight will also be another force that will be important

Let's say two objects are dropped at the same time. One weighs 1kg and the other weighs 100kg and wind resistance isn't a factor. Which one hits the ground first? My point is: weight doesn't change how fast something accelerates towards the ground (unless friction is involved)

you will only need to use weight to find the normal force when you're drawing the FBD. Since there is no friction, you don't need to multiply the normal force by the coefficient of friction.

to solve this, you'll need to use trig to figure out what a 9.8 m/s^2 downward acceleration would be when the object doesn't go straight down but rather down a 30 degree slope
 
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