Slanted surfaces with friction: A crate is sliding down an inclined ramp at a constant speed of 0.55 m/s. The vector sum of all the forces acting on this crate must point down the ramp.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since the crate is sliding down at a constant speed, the net force on the crate must be zero. This means that the vector sum of all the forces acting on the crate must be zero, not necessarily pointing down the ramp. If the forces were all pointing down the ramp, the crate would be accelerating down the ramp, not moving at a constant speed. Additionally, if there is friction acting on the crate, it must be pointing up the ramp to oppose the direction of motion.

Slanted Surfaces with Friction: a Crate Is Sliding Down an Inclined