Physlet Illustration: A Block Sliding Down an Incline

 

 

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m = Grams q = ° 
 
A block slides down a frictionless incline, as shown. The incline makes an angle q with the horizontal. The speed is given in m/s, and the times shown are in seconds. Adjust the mass (100 g < m < 500 g) and/or the angle (5° < q < 45°), and measure the block's acceleration. How can you verify that it obeys Newton's Second Law?

Hints

  1. Measure acceleration by finding the change in velocity over a specific time interval.
  2. Can you draw a free-body diagram for the box?
  3. What force determines the acceleration?
  4. How should the acceleration change as you vary angle of the incline?
  5. How should the acceleration change as you vary the mass?

Reference

See Walker, Section 5-7

Illustration written by Steve Mellema and Chuck Niederriter