VECTOR PROBLEM WITH FORCE

Question

A block slides 42 m down a ramp that makes an angle of 60 degrees with the ground. Determine the mass of the block if 10 400 J of work was done. (Assume 1 kg exerts a force of 9.8 N).

Answer 1

Make a force diagram of the block on the ramp at 60° and find the component of mg parallel to the ramp which in this case is mgsin60°. The work done is W= F•s where s is the distance traveled down the ramp. Using this expression then W = 10400J = mgsin60°42kgm²/sec² m= 10400/9.8•42•√3/2 Doing the math m=29.177kg.