PASCO ME-9502 Statics System - Manual (Page 41)

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M o d e l N o . M E - 9 5 0 2 E x p . 7 : T h e I n c l i n e d P l a n e
0 1 2 - 1 2 8 7 6 B 37
Exp. 7: The Inclined Plane
Equipment Needed
Introduction
Suppose you must design a ramp with a cable to hold a
heavy object on an inclined ramp. For a given angle of
inclination of the ramp, how much force must the
cable deliver to hold the object on the ramp? How
much force must the ramp be able to support?
You could solve this problem by building ramps and
cable and testing them, or by testing scale models.
Alternatively, you could use your knowledge of forces
and vectors to solve the problem mathematically. In
the diagram, for example, the weight, F, of the object
on the inclined plane can be resolved into two components: one perpendicular to the plane, F

, and one parallel to
the plane, F

. The angle,
, is the angle of inclination of the inclined plane. In this experiment, you will compare
the mathematical solution with data taken directly from a scale model.
Experiment
1. Add a 100-g mass to the cart and measure and record the total mass of the cart. Calculate and record the
weight of the cart-plus-mass.
• total mass of cart = _______________ weight of cart = _________________
2. Set up the Inclined Plane on the Statics Board. Start with the plane at 15°. Put the cart on the Inclined Plane
and use thread connected under a pulley to the Spring Scale to hold the cart in place on the ramp.
Item Item
Statics Board Inclined Plane and Cart
Pulley (2) Mounted Spring Scale
Mass and Hanger Set Thread
Figure 7.1: The Inclined Plane
F

F

Object
Inclined
plane

F 
Figure 7.2: Equipment Setup
Inclined
Plane
Pulley
Spring
Scale
Cart
100-g
mass
Keep the thread
parallel to the plane.