Where do you put the angle in force diagrams?

AI Thread Summary
In force diagrams involving inclined planes, the angle of the incline is typically measured from the horizontal, making the horizontal direction the x-component and the vertical direction the y-component. When analyzing forces, the component of the force parallel to the incline corresponds to the x-axis, while the component perpendicular to the incline corresponds to the y-axis. It's essential to correctly identify the orientation of the angle to avoid confusion in calculations. Understanding this relationship helps in accurately drawing force diagrams and solving problems involving inclined planes. Properly visualizing the angle's placement ensures clarity in determining force components.
ewolf335
Messages
1
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Ok, so I'm in college now. However, I'm having the same problem i did when I was in high school. When your doing a problem that has let's say a truck on a 30 degree incline, how do you decide whether that angle will be touching the y component of the angle or the x? The reason I ask is because I was told the component touching the angle is always the x component, but in some problems that doesn't appear to be true, so I don't know how to draw my own force diagrams without mixing up the two.



Homework Equations


equation for force of kinetic friction


The Attempt at a Solution

 
Physics news on Phys.org
if the question says that the incline makes an angle with the horizontal, then that horizontal is the x component.
 

Thread 'Rolling without slipping on a curved surface'

Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
View full post »
Thread 'Trying to understand the logic behind adding vectors with an angle between them'

Thread 'Trying to understand the logic behind adding vectors with an angle between them'

My initial calculation was to subtract V1 from V2 to show that from the perspective of the second aircraft the first one is -300km/h. So i checked with ChatGPT and it said I cant just subtract them because I have an angle between them. So I dont understand the reasoning of it. Like why should a velocity be dependent on an angle? I was thinking about how it would look like if the planes where parallel to each other, and then how it look like if one is turning away and I dont see it. Since...
View full post »
Thread 'Correct statement about a reservoir with an outlet pipe'

Thread 'Correct statement about a reservoir with an outlet pipe'

The answer to this question is statements (ii) and (iv) are correct. (i) This is FALSE because the speed of water in the tap is greater than speed at the water surface (ii) I don't even understand this statement. What does the "seal" part have to do with water flowing out? Won't the water still flow out through the tap until the tank is empty whether the reservoir is sealed or not? (iii) In my opinion, this statement would be correct. Increasing the gravitational potential energy of the...
View full post »

Similar threads

Understanding Forces and their Vector Components
Replies
8
Views
221
Force pulling on a string at an angle with a block at the other end
Replies
2
Views
1K
Force Diagrams for Sliding Block on Inclined Plane
Replies
12
Views
4K
Applying Force on a Cylinder at an Angle
Replies
8
Views
835
Minkowski diagram, where to put an event
Replies
6
Views
1K
Block on top of an inclined plane, with a rough surface, that moves with constant acceleration
Replies
41
Views
4K
Finding Radial Force from Free Body Diagram
Replies
4
Views
2K
Free body diagram on a block pushed against a ceiling
Replies
7
Views
3K
Calculating acceleration of a prism and block connected to a wall through a rope and pulley
Replies
4
Views
423
Confusion with force components
Replies
21
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top