Find the normal force and magnitude of acceleration.

AI Thread Summary
To find the normal force exerted by a frictionless incline on a 12-kg block pushed by a 100 N force at a 25° angle, the correct approach involves using trigonometric functions and the equation F=ma. The normal force is not simply the weight of the block but must account for the angle of the incline, leading to a calculated value of approximately 117.72 N, which should be rounded to 120 N for two significant figures. For the block's acceleration, the horizontal force and the normal force must be analyzed together, resulting in an acceleration calculation that initially yielded 56.9 m/s², which is incorrect. The correct method involves resolving forces along the incline and applying Newton's second law to find the accurate acceleration. Understanding the relationship between the forces and angles is crucial for solving both parts of the problem.
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Homework Statement



A horizontal force of 100 N pushes a 12-kg block up a frictionless incline that makes an angle of 25° with the horizontal. (Use g = 9.81 m/s2.)
1. What is the normal force, in Newtons, that the incline exerts on the block? Round your answer to two significant figures.

2. What is the magnitude of the acceleration of the block in m/s2? Round your answer to one decimal place.


Homework Equations



F=ma

a=dv/dx

The Attempt at a Solution



1. I got it as 117.72. Is it right? And if it's right how do I round to 2 significant figures.
2. I don't know how to find acceleration.
 
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For the first one, remember that the normal always make a 90 degree angle with the surface. So your first result is not correct.

The second question is best solved using the normal force, the horizontal force, some trigonometry and Pythagoras. Try to solve the first one, and then you can get further help with the second question.
 
What I did is F=ma => F=12*9.81m/s^2
How do I substitute 90 degree in that?
 
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|a\
|...\
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Know that gravity works strait down and figure out the angle a, then use appropriate trigonometric functions to calculate the answer. The non-strait-down line in the sketch is the normal.
 
I got the acceleration as 56.9 m/s^2 Is it right?
But I still can't find what's normal force.
 
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