Help Force Question: Acceleration of Ice Slope w/o Friction

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the acceleration of a 1.5 kg chunk of ice sliding down a frictionless roof inclined at a 60-degree angle. The acceleration is determined using Newton's second law, resulting in a value of 8.49 m/s². It is established that mass does not affect the acceleration in this scenario, as the net force is independent of mass due to the absence of friction. The calculations confirm that the net force acting on the ice is derived from gravitational components.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's second law (f=ma)
  • Basic trigonometry, specifically sine functions
  • Knowledge of gravitational force (g=9.8 m/s²)
  • Concept of net force and its relation to mass and acceleration
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the effects of friction on acceleration in inclined planes
  • Explore the concept of gravitational potential energy and its conversion to kinetic energy
  • Learn about different angles of inclination and their impact on acceleration
  • Investigate real-world applications of inclined planes in physics
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of objects on inclined surfaces without friction.

runningirl
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Homework Statement



A 1.5 kg chunk of ice slides down a roof sloped at a 60 degree angle with the horizontal.

a) Find the acceleration given that there is no friction.

b) Show that the amount of mass doesn't matter in part a.

Homework Equations



f=ma

The Attempt at a Solution



9.8*1.5(sin60)=fg

a= f/m
a=12.73/1.5
a=8.49 m/s/s.

i couldn't get part b?!
 
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Mass doesn't matter because there is no friction to stop it from sliding. So it could be any mass and continue to slide.
 
Since force friction is 0 and force normal cancels with the force going into the ramp, the force going down the ramp is your Fnet.

Fnet = mgsin(60)
ma = m(9.8)sin(60)
mass on each side cancels out.
a = (9.8)sin(60)
a = 8.49
 

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