What Angle Is Needed to Simulate 0.8g Deceleration on an Inclined Plane?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the angle required to simulate a deceleration of 0.8g on an inclined plane for a 100kg load. The consensus is that the angle needed is 53 degrees, derived from trigonometric principles. Participants emphasize the importance of using SI units, clarifying that the force equates to 80 Newtons, not 0.8g. The conversation highlights the need for understanding trigonometry, particularly the relationships between the components of weight on an incline.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of trigonometry, including sine and cosine functions.
  • Familiarity with SI units and their application in physics.
  • Knowledge of forces and acceleration concepts, particularly gravitational force.
  • Ability to interpret diagrams related to inclined planes and forces.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of forces on an inclined plane using trigonometric functions.
  • Learn about the application of Newton's laws in real-world scenarios, particularly in transportation.
  • Explore advanced trigonometric concepts, such as the tangent function and its applications in physics.
  • Investigate the implications of load restraint regulations in trucking and their mathematical foundations.
USEFUL FOR

Truck drivers, physics students, and anyone involved in load management and safety regulations in transportation will benefit from this discussion.

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A Physics Problem 02.jpg


I am a truck driver, the law requires me to restrain my load of 100kg, to resist a forward braking force (deceleration) of 0.8g.

If, I took the 100kg load and tilted it (inclined plane), what angle of tilt, would be required to represent a force of 0.8g ?

How does one calculate the angle required to equate to a force of 0.8g, I happen to know the answer is 53 degrees, but, I need to know how this is calculated.

I am a real truck driver with a real problem and look forward to your solution.
 
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Do you know any trigonometry ?
 
Lint said:
View attachment 79449

I am a truck driver, the law requires me to restrain my load of 100kg, to resist a forward braking force (deceleration) of 0.8g.

If, I took the 100kg load and tilted it (inclined plane), what angle of tilt, would be required to represent a force of 0.8g ?

How does one calculate the angle required to equate to a force of 0.8g, I happen to know the answer is 53 degrees, but, I need to know how this is calculated.

I am a real truck driver with a real problem and look forward to your solution.

Units are important here. After looking at the values on the diagram, I would say that if you want to work with SI units, then the force is really ##80g## Newtons, not ##0.8g## Newtons.
Now that everything is in SI units:
If you're on an inclined plane, your weight could be split into two components (using trigonometry): one parallel to the plane and the other perpendicular to the plane. We only care about whatever happens parallel to the plane for now. Given this information, do you now understand how the angle is obtained?
 
Last edited:
MohammedRady97 said:
Units are important here. After looking at the values on the diagram, I would say that if you want to work with SI units, then the force is really ##80g##, not ##0.8g##.
Quibble: If units are important then the force is not 80g either. The force of a 0.8 g acceleration on a 100 kg box is 80 kilogram-g. But this is trigonometry and what really matters are dimensonless ratios like 0.8. The units all cancel anyway.
 
I take it we have now moved into just spoon-feeding answers instead of helping folks figure out how to get answers for themselves.
 
phinds said:
I take it we have now moved into just spoon-feeding answers instead of helping folks figure out how to get answers for themselves.

I just edited my answer.
 
phinds said:
Do you know any trigonometry ?

Yes, I have a little knowledge of trig, I am aware that c^2 = q^2 = b^2 and that Sine Theta = Opposite / Hypotenuse and that Cos Theta = Adjacent / Hypotenuse.
 
l hope that was a typo and you meant c^2= a^2+ b^2 .
 
Indeed, I did Sir, my thumbs are too big !
 
  • #10
MohammedRady97 said:
Units are important here. After looking at the values on the diagram, I would say that if you want to work with SI units, then the force is really 80g 80g Newtons, not 0.8g 0.8g Newtons.
Now that everything is in SI units:
If you're on an inclined plane, your weight could be split into two components (using trigonometry): one parallel to the plane and the other perpendicular to the plane. We only care about whatever happens parallel to the plane for now. Given this information, do you now understand how the angle is obtained?

Yes, this is my working -
 

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  • #11
phinds said:
I take it we have now moved into just spoon-feeding answers instead of helping folks figure out how to get answers for themselves.

This is nothing to do with spoon feeding anything, it's to do with providing the most eloquent answer to a specific question, any help you are able to offer is very much appreciated.
 
  • #12
Lint said:
This is nothing to do with spoon feeding anything, it's to do with providing the most eloquent answer to a specific question, any help you are able to offer is very much appreciated.
You are missing the point of this forum, which is not here for the purpose of "providing the most eloquent answer to a specific question" but rather for the purpose of helping people figure out how to GET answers to their questions. We're not giving away fish, we're teaching people how to fish.
 
  • #13
You are missing the point of this forum, which is not here for the purpose of "providing the most eloquent answer to a specific question" but rather for the purpose of helping people figure out how to GET answers to their questions. We're not giving away fish, we're teaching people how to fish.

I came to this forum for assistance to solve my problem, my knowledge of maths and trig is limited, as I am sure your knowledge of the trucking industry is limited, but if you were ever to ask me which fuel filter should be used for a Detroit 600 diesel engine, I would quite happily tell you.

If you are able to show me how to solve my problem then, I would very much appreciate your help.
 
  • #14
Lint said:
I came to this forum for assistance to solve my problem, my knowledge of maths and trig is limited, as I am sure your knowledge of the trucking industry is limited, but if you were ever to ask me which fuel filter should be used for a Detroit 600 diesel engine, I would quite happily tell you.

If you are able to show me how to solve my problem then, I would very much appreciate your help.

If I were looking for an answer about trucking, and I just wanted the answer with not expectation of ever having to solve my problem again, then I'd seek out a forum which exists for the purpose of answering such questions, not one that exists for the purpose giving explanations of how trucks work and how to solve my problem.

As for your particular problem, it looked to me as though you already solved it. Is that not so?

By the way, the "quote" button allow you to show someone's post as a quote so you don't have to cut and paste it, which gets confusing.
 

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