Work Done by Gravity on an Incline

[johnhuntsman]

The formula is m*g*h which translates to m*g*d*sinθ right? I have it written down as m*g*d*cosθ on my formula chart for some reason which doesn't make sense, and I want to reassure myself.

 

[PhanthomJay]

The formula is m*g*h which translates to m*g*d*sinθ right?

Yes, where theta is the angle the incline makes with the horizontal. Draw the right triangle with height h and hypotenuse d, and use soh-cah-toa...but what is the sign of the work done, if the object is traveling up the plane? Down the plane?

 

[johnhuntsman]

Okay then. Thanks.