For many problems involving inclines it is convenient to resolve forces into components parallel and perpendicular to the surface of the incline.
Sample problem: A trained sea lion slides from rest down a 3-m-long
ramp into a pool of water. If the ramp is inclined at an angle of 23º above the
horizontal and the coefficient of kinetic friction between the sea lion and the
ramp is 0.26, how long does it take for the sea lion to make a splash?
Solution:
Sample problem: You testify as an expert witness in a case involving
an accident in which car A slid into the rear of car B, which was stopped at a
red light along a road headed down a hill. You find that the slope of the hill
is 15°, that the cars were separated by distance d = 26.5 m when the driver of
car A put the car into a slide (it lacked any automatic anti-brake-lock system),
and that the speed of car A at the onset of braking was v0 = 18.5
m/s. With what speed did car A hit car B if the coefficient of kinetic friction
was 0.60 (dry road surface)?
Solution:
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