Physlet Illustration: Work On A Rough Incline

 

 

 
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, the times shown are in seconds, and the distance grid is in meters. Adjust the mass (100 g < m < 500 g) and/or the angle (10° < q < 30°),  and watch the graph of work done by gravity and friction and kinetic energy vs. distance. Does it all add up?

Hints

  1. Choose any time to pause the animation.
  2. Use the cursor to "measure" the work done by gravity and friction and compare to the kinetic energy.
  3. How does the work done by gravity depend upon the mass?
  4. How does the work done by friction depend upon the mass?
  5. How does the kinetic energy (and hence the speed) depend upon the mass?

Reference

See Walker, Section 8-4

Illustration written by Chuck Niederriter