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Newton’s Laws of Motion & Friction

Practice Problem

A 5 kg block rests on a ramp inclined at 30 degrees to the horizontal. The coefficient of static friction between the block and the ramp is mu_s = 0.4.

  1. Determine the magnitude of the force of gravity parallel to the incline (Fg_parallel = m * g * sin(theta)).

  2. Will static friction prevent the block from sliding down the ramp? Prove your answer mathematically using g = 9.8 m/s^2.

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