A basket has a mass of 5.5 kg. Find the magnitude of the normal force if the basket is at rest on a ramp inclined above the horizontal at:

A0 degrees (horizontal surface)
B12 degrees
C25 degrees
D45 degrees

Verified Answer :

The free body diagram consists of:

1) Weight force, which is a vertical arrow downward

2) A Normal force that is perpendicular to the ramp.

The Normal force can be decomposed in a vertical component and an horizontal component.

The vertical component, Ny,  must equal the weight force, due to equilibrium (rest) condiition =>

Ny = weight = mg = 5.5kg9.8m/s^2 = 53.9 N

By geometry the vertical component of the Normal force, Ny is such that

cos (angle) = N / Ny => N = Ny cos(angle)

=> N = 53.9N
cos(angle)

Now use that equation for each option:

a) 0 ° => N = 53.9N cos(0) = 53.9N

b) 12° => N = 53.9
cos(12) = 52.7N

c) 25° => N = 53.9 cos(25) = 48.9N

d) 45° => N = 53.9
cos(45) = 38.1N