Key relationship
Fparallel=mg sinθ.
Physics · Practical apparatus
Incline spring-balance reading
A spring balance holds a block at rest on a frictionless incline. Plot holding force against sine of the incline angle to obtain a straight line of slope mg.
Open the interactive experiment →Incline spring-balance reading
உராய்வற்ற சாய்தளத்தில் பொருளைத் தாங்கும் விசை mg sinθ. sinθ-க்கு எதிரான வரைபட சரிவு mg.
Key notes, relationships and model limits
Practical tip
A spring balance holds a block at rest on a frictionless incline. Plot holding force against sine of the incline angle to obtain a straight line of slope mg.
Common trap
Resolve weight along the incline; the parallel component is mg sinθ, rather than the full mg.
Model limits
frictionless incline, balance parallel to slope, static hold; graph uses sine of angle, so the force relation is linear.
What you will learn
Adjust incline spring-balance reading apparatus, observe its reading and derive the indicated physical quantity.
Try the experiment
Try both scenarios, change one control, and predict the result before checking the graph and readouts.
Think of it this way
Change one input while keeping the others fixed, as you would in a controlled experiment.
Worked example
For m=1 kg at 30°, F=9.81×0.5=4.905 N, read as 4.9 N with 0.1 N resolution.
Why this matters
The model connects incline spring-balance reading with an observable reading. Check the equation and assumptions before applying it.
Before you start
SI units · algebra · graph reading
Check your understanding
At 30°, the required holding force is?
- The full weight mg.
- Half the weight mg.
- Twice the weight mg.
Read the explanation
Half the weight mg.
Course connection: Virtual apparatus preparation. Check exact board/exam membership in the syllabus sources. Physical practical work remains necessary.