# How to find forces acting on object on a slope?

## Homework Statement

an object is at rest on a slope at angle of σ

Using trigonometry, solve the forces acting at Ft and Fn

Soh
Cah
Toa

## The Attempt at a Solution

sin σ = G/Ft
sin σ /Ft = G
G/ sin σ = Ft (my final answer)

Book says correct answer is Ft = G sinσ

Fn = ??? I wanst even sure how to strat this using σ

The book says the correct answer is Fn = G cosσ

## The Attempt at a Solution

NascentOxygen
Staff Emeritus
The force G can be resolved into 2 components: one which is normal to the slope (the exact opposite to Fn), and one which is parallel to the slope (the exact opposite to Ft).

Draw the triangle of forces showing how G equals the vector sum of these two forces.

edited...I'll be back

Last edited:
Thanks NascentOxygen. Unfortunately I dont quite get why the answers are what they are. I have drawn myself a new triangle which shows the two vector forces but I still don't understand where the answers have come from.

Especially Fn = G cosσ. I thought cos in basic terms meant adjacent/hypothenuse . So if the sloped line is the hypothenuse and the bottom line is the adjacent once I draw the line which is exact opposite to Fn I now no longer have a right angle triangle.....arghh!! I'm just so confused...

NascentOxygen
Staff Emeritus

here is my latest diagram

I'm now starting to think Soh Cah Toa isn't actually relevant there ?

Fn = G cosσ Ft = Gσ

I'm unsure where these two formulas/equations have come from and why Soh Cah Toa isn't relevant here...

I must be missing something fundamental

NascentOxygen
Staff Emeritus
here is my latest diagram
It's the triangle beneath the object which you need to focus on.
redraw it separately, and larger, and label what you know. Its vertical line represents G Newtons.

NascentOxygen
Staff Emeritus