Question

An object of mass m slides down an incline with angle��. Which equation allows you to correctly calculate the normal force on the object?

1) mg cos(��)
2) fn - mg cos(��)
3) mg sin(��)
4) fn - mg sin(��)

Answer 1

The normal force on an object sliding down an incline at angle θ is calculated by the equation N = mg cos(θ).

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct equation to calculate the normal force on an object sliding down an incline with angle θ is mg cos(θ). When an object rests on an incline, the force of gravity that acts perpendicular to the plane is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the normal force. Therefore, the normal force can be represented as N = mg cos(θ).