Solving Sliding Object Down Ramp: Horizontal Forces Only?

AI Thread Summary
When calculating the net force (Fnet) on an object sliding down a ramp, only horizontal forces should be considered for determining acceleration. This is because the motion of the object is primarily influenced by forces acting parallel to the ramp's surface. Positive forces include those acting downward along the ramp, while negative forces encompass friction and any upward forces opposing motion. Properly summing these forces is crucial for accurate acceleration calculations. Understanding the distinction between horizontal and vertical forces is essential for solving problems involving inclined planes.
ItsNoah
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
I went to ask my teacher for extra help and we were doing a problem about an object sliding down a ramp. When I calculated the Fnet I added all the forces together acting on the box but she said that you only take into account the horizontal forces. Any clarification would be much appreciated!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The reason I ask this is because I thought when adding Fnet up you add up all the forces. ALSO: i was trying to calculate acceleration so is this why you only add up the horizontal forces?
 
If the box is sliding down the ramp, then the positive forces would be the ones that are making it move, meaning the ones acting downward. The negative forces would be the ones acting opposite of motion, like friction. so when you sum the forces, make sure you have friction and any force applied upward as negatives, and then the force of the plane and any forces applied downward as positives.
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Determine is box of unknown mass is sliding down a ramp?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Dynamics problem involving an inclined plane and Friction
Replies
1
Views
2K
Minimum force required to prevent sliding down
Replies
1
Views
3K
Friction Problem of a Crate Sliding Down a Ramp
Replies
4
Views
3K
Questions Regarding a Cat Going Up a Ramp
2
Replies
56
Views
3K
Block Sliding Down a Ramp that is Free to Slide
Replies
4
Views
7K
Calculating the frictional forces on a sliding box on a ramp
Replies
2
Views
3K
How to Solve a Basic Sliding Box Problem on a Frictionless Ramp?
Replies
3
Views
2K
What Force Keeps the Block from Sliding on a Frictionless Inclined Ramp?
Replies
10
Views
2K
2D kinematics problem -- Skateboard ramp jump calculations
Replies
4
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top