What Is the Acceleration of an Object on a 78-Degree Inclined Plane?

[inedhelpinphy]

Frictionless incline plane homework help!

Homework Statement

An object is on a frictionless inclined plane. The plane is inclined at an angle of 78.0 degrees with the horizontal. Using the accerlation due gravity from your reference table. What is the magnitude of object's acceleration?

Homework Equations

a= delta v/ t or g=F^g/ m or vf=vi+at or d= vit+1/2at^2 or vf^2=vi^2+2ad

The Attempt at a Solution

a= delta v/ t

 

[gabbagabbahey]

Hi inedhelpinphy, welcome to PF!

Draw a picture!...What forces (there is more than one!) act on the object? What are their magnitudes and direction? What is the magnitude and direction of the net force on the object? What does Newton's second law tell you?

 

[logickills]

The first thing you undoubtedly need to do is to draw a free body diagram. You should get in the habit of this being the first step. Like Gaba said look into Newton's Second Law.

If you continue to have trouble check out this link
http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/sat2/physics/chapter8section3.rhtml