How to find acceleration given only angle of slope and coefficient of friction?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the acceleration of a crate on an inclined board, given the angle of the slope and the coefficient of friction. The context involves applying Newton's second law and understanding the forces acting on the crate.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between the forces acting on the crate, specifically how to set up the equation involving gravitational force and friction. There are attempts to simplify the equation by canceling mass, leading to questions about which masses cancel and the implications for the acceleration calculation.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the cancellation of mass in the equations, noting that it does not affect the final expression for acceleration. However, there remains some confusion regarding the application of this cancellation and its impact on the solution, indicating that further clarification may be needed.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about their calculations and the correctness of their approach, suggesting that they may be constrained by their understanding of the physical principles involved.

ExtendedG
Messages
6
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A crate is placed on an inclined board. The coefficient of friction between the crate and the board is 0.26 , and the angle of the slope is 16 degrees. Calculate the acceleration of the crate down the incline.


Homework Equations


F=ma
Ff=umgcos(theta)
Forge of gravity parallel = mgsin(theta)


The Attempt at a Solution


F=ma
Fg - Ff = ma
mgsin(theta) - umgcos(theta) = ma
so this is where it gets tricky for me.. I've tried factoring and removing a mass from each side.. but I'm still left with one mass.
What do i do? :/
 
Physics news on Phys.org
From here:

mgsinθ - umgcosθ = ma

your mass 'm' cancels out, so the acceleration does not depend on the mass.
 
sorry I'm still confused, but which mass comes out? or all the masses cancel out? when i try that, I don't get the answer.
 
All of the 'm's in the equation are the same, so they all cancel out.
 
rock.freak667 said:
All of the 'm's in the equation are the same, so they all cancel out.
Ah true okay thank you sir, help very much appreciated, so then I would just do:

gsinθ - ugcosθ = a

Now does the equation above work? because I think I remember trying this cancelling out all of the m's, and I got a wrong answer, but I probably did my math wrong. I'll check once I finish with my chemistry and math homework.
 

Similar threads

Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
48
Views
8K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
5K