Why use sin and cos to break down weight on an inclined plane

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
3 replies · 2K views
Ineedhelpwithphysics
Messages
43
Reaction score
7
Homework Statement
In picture
Relevant Equations
Cos(x), sin(x), angle addition/subtraction.
I'm not really asking for a solution for this problem I just want to clear up a confusion I have.

Why are they multiplying the weight by the sin and cosine of the 30-degree angle?
Isn't weight not affected by anything since it's constant?

Also is the angle of friction 0 because it's a straight line?

Screenshot 2023-10-20 154330.png

Screenshot 2023-10-20 154407.png
Screenshot 2023-10-20 154348.png
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Did you post the entire question and solution? It should state that the coordinates chosen are parallel to the ramp (x) and normal to the ramp (y). The use of sin and cos is to find the components of the weight in those directions.
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: MatinSAR
haruspex said:
Did you post the entire question and solution? It should state that the coordinates chosen are parallel to the ramp (x) and normal to the ramp (y). The use of sin and cos is to find the components of the weight in those directions.
1697845376188.png

sorry about that