A solid block of mass 5.0kg is released from rest at the top of a frictionless straight ramp that makes an unknown angle θ with the horizontal. Starting from rest, the block reaches a speed of 6.0ms−1 after sliding for 2.0s.
Address the following prompts.
(a) Draw a free-body diagram for the block while it is on the ramp.
(b) Using Newton’s laws, derive an algebraic expression for the acceleration of the block in terms of θ and known physical constants.
(c) Calculate the numerical value of θ required for the observed motion.
(d) For the value of θ you found, determine the magnitude of the normal force exerted by the ramp on the block while it is sliding.