Inclined Plane

An FBD illustrates the applied forces acting on a body.

Questions

1. How many forces are acting on the cart? (check with Mr. C if needed)
2. Is there a net force acting on the cart?
   
3. In what direction is the net force?
4. In what direction is the cart accelerating?
5. Is it accelerating in just one direction (horizontally or vertically) or in two directions?

It's convenient if the net force acting on the body lies along one of the axes. In the event the net force doesn't lie along one of the axes, you'll want to rotate your axes.

After rotating your axes, resolve any forces (vectors) that do not lie along the rotated axes (axes in red) into components that are parallel or perpendicular to the new axes (axes in red).

Sum the resolved forces in the rotated (new axes in red) x and y direction to determine the net force and acceleration.