Question

A block of mass m = 0.400 kg is placed on an inclined plane making an angle

θ = 20.00 with respect to the horizontal. A student pushes the block downhill by applying a force F parallel to the incline. The acceleration of the block is observed to be a = 3.00 m/s2. The coefficient of kinetic friction is measured to be µk = 0.200 and g = 9.80 m/s2.

Draw the free body diagram of the block and upload your PDF below.. Labels all the forces on your system (FG, FN, etc.) and carefully identify the object acting on the system.

Example: if the system is a box then the gravitational force will have the label FG and the description is “Earth on box”. The format should be: FG (Earth on box)

Answer 1

Here is the free-body diagram with labeled forces

Answer 2

The free-body diagram for a block on an inclined plane includes gravitational force (Earth on block), normal force (Surface on block perpendicular to incline), friction (Surface on block parallel to incline), and the applied force (Student on block parallel to incline). Net force drives acceleration downhill.

Certainly! Here's a description of the free-body diagram (FBD) for the block on the inclined plane:

1. **Gravity (Weight):**
`\( F_{\text{g}} \)` - This force is directed vertically downward. It represents the gravitational force acting on the block, and the label is "Earth on block."

2. **Normal Force:**
`\( F_{\text{N}} \)` - This force is perpendicular to the inclined plane, acting normal to the surface. The label is "Surface on block perpendicular to incline."

3. **Frictional Force:**
`\( F_{\text{friction}} \)` - This force opposes the motion and is directed up the incline. The label is "Surface on block parallel to incline."

4. **Applied Force:**
`\( F_{\text{applied}} \)` - This force is applied parallel to the incline by the student pushing the block downhill. The label is "Student on block parallel to incline."

5. **Net Force:**
`\( F_{\text{net}} \)` - This force is the resultant force causing the acceleration downhill. It is in the direction of acceleration.

To elaborate, the gravitational force is responsible for the weight of the block, the normal force counteracts the component of gravity perpendicular to the incline, friction opposes the motion, and the applied force drives the motion down the incline.

The net force is the vector sum of all these forces, and it is the force responsible for the observed acceleration of the block down the inclined plane.