Revisiting the Feynman Ball on an Inclined Plane Problem

Thread starter John Helly
Start date Jul 7, 2023
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Ball Feynman Inclined

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Feynman ball problem involving a ball resting on an inclined plane and pressing against a vertical wall. Participants debated the correct expressions for the forces acting on the ball, specifically the horizontal force on the wall (Fw) and the force on the plane (Fp). The correct equations established are Fw = sec(alpha) * kg-wt and Fp = tan(alpha) * kg-wt. The conversation emphasizes the importance of free body diagrams and Newton's laws in resolving the forces acting on the ball.

PREREQUISITES

Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
Familiarity with free body diagrams
Knowledge of trigonometric functions (sine, cosine, tangent)
Basic concepts of static equilibrium

NEXT STEPS

Study the derivation of forces in inclined plane problems
Learn how to construct and analyze free body diagrams
Explore applications of Newton's laws in static equilibrium scenarios
Investigate the role of friction in inclined plane problems

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Students of physics, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding forces in static equilibrium scenarios involving inclined planes and walls.

Jul 11, 2023

kuruman

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I concur with @TSny. For future reference, when the sum of any number of vectors is zero and you add them using the graphical "tip-to-tail" graphical construction, you end with a closed polygon. The number of sides is equal to the number of forces that are added.

Here you have a right triangle because there are 3 forces and ##F_w## and ##F_g## are perpendicular (see below). All you have to do is figure out which of the interior acute angles should be labeled ##\alpha## and then write down the usual trig relations.