Inclined plane. Forces and motion

Do you want to learn how an inclined plane works?

The online inclined plane simulations on this page will help you better understand how forces act on an inclined plane and the motion they produce.

An inclined plane is a flat surface that forms an angle with respect to the horizontal. When an object moves along an inclined plane, its motion is defined by three forces: the force of gravity (the weight of the object), the normal force and the force of friction.

Gravity is the force that pulls all objects toward the center of the Earth. Gravity acts on the object in a vertical downward direction. The normal is the force exerted by the surface of the plane on the object and acts perpendicular to the inclined plane. This force is what keeps the object in equilibrium on the inclined plane. Friction is the force that opposes the motion of the object on the surface. On an inclined plane, friction acts in the opposite direction to the motion of the object. The vectorial composition of these forces can be done with the help of trigonometry and will allow to calculate the motion of the object on the inclined plane.

These online inclined plane simulations are a useful tool for understanding the principles governing the action of forces and the resulting motion of an object in an inclined plane.

Forces I
Forces II
Motion
Rolling
Lab

Forces on an inclined plane I

This simulation visualizes the forces acting on an inclined plane and how they vary as the angle of inclination changes.

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Forces on an inclined plane II

Motion in an inclined plane

Observe the motion of a block as it slides down an inclined plane. Modify the angle of inclination and see how the distance traveled per unit of time changes.