This applet demonstrates the component forces acting on a block sitting on a sloped surface. [br][br][b]Fg (the force of gravity)[/b] can be decomposed into [b]Fpar [/b](the force of gravity parallel to the slope) and [b]Fperp[/b](the force of gravity perpendicular to the slope). [b]Fperp[/b] in turn causes the normal force [b]Fn[/b], and [b]Ff[/b] (friction force). [br][br]The forces (Fg, Fn and Ff) together determine the net force on the object. In this simulation the net force is zero because the forces cancel out.
Move the point P to change the slope angle. Notice which forces get larger and smaller as the slope increases.
Move the point to find out which force grows with the slope.
Explain in your own words why this force gets bigger with a large slope.
You already know what would happen. At some point the slope is so steep the the block will start to slide (or fall). This is because the static friction force has limits depending on the properties of the surface defined by Fn. A [br][br]To learn more about sliding go to this app: [tba][br]To learn more about tipping or falling go to this app: [tba]