Question

Identify the equation used to calculate the perpendicular force (F⊥) acting on a block on an inclined plane.

A) F=mg
B) F=mg sinΘ
C) F=mg cosΘ
D) F=mg tanΘ

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Answer 1

F=mg

The force of gravity is the force with which the earth or other massively large object attracts another object towards itself. This is the weight of the object. All objects upon earth experience a force of gravity that is directed "downward" towards the center of the earth. The force of gravity on earth is always equal to the weight of the object as found by the equation F=mg.

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Answer 2

Using geometrical arguments, we can see that the angle of the inclined plane
`\theta` is equal to the angle between Fg and the perpendicular force.

But the perpendicular force is the projection of Fg along the perpendicular axis, and Fg=mg, so the correct answer is
C) F=mg cosΘ