ixbethxi
i just was wondering, when you have an incline and a box mass m sits on it attached to a massless string and a pulley and a weight hanging freely. what determines whether the block will slide up or down the ramp?

is it the horizontal weight force for the box and the force of gravity for the weight?

Homework Helper
You have three components of force to consider: (a) the component of the weight (graviational force) parallel to the surface, (b) the component of the spring force parallel to the surface and (c) the frictional force (parallel to the surface) between the box and the incline which is proportional to the component of the box's weight normal to the surface.

Mentor
All the variables matter - and don't forget the coefficient of friction...

ixbethxi
oo i forgot to say its frictionless ;)

ixbethxi
i mean lets say you are holding the mass on the incline still and then you let go, does the mass thats heavier determine if the mass on the incline will make it slide up or down?

Homework Helper
(1) The hanging mass end is being pulled down with a force $m_1 g$
(2) The mass on the incline is being pulled down the incline with a force $m_2 g \sin \theta$​