Horizontal force on slope

A question is this type if and only if a horizontal force acts on a particle on an inclined plane (not parallel to the slope), and the task is to resolve forces in two directions to find equilibrium conditions, acceleration, or coefficient of friction.

23 questions · Standard +0.4

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CAIE M1 2021 June Q7
10 marks Standard +0.3
7 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{ba29ddb2-3558-4be1-a8a8-134e27a70149-10_220_609_260_769} A particle \(P\) of mass 0.3 kg rests on a rough plane inclined at an angle \(\theta\) to the horizontal, where \(\sin \theta = \frac { 7 } { 25 }\). A horizontal force of magnitude 4 N , acting in the vertical plane containing a line of greatest slope of the plane, is applied to \(P\) (see diagram). The particle is on the point of sliding up the plane.
  1. Show that the coefficient of friction between the particle and the plane is \(\frac { 3 } { 4 }\).
    The force acting horizontally is replaced by a force of magnitude 4 N acting up the plane parallel to a line of greatest slope.
  2. Find the acceleration of \(P\).
  3. Starting with \(P\) at rest, the force of 4 N parallel to the plane acts for 3 seconds and is then removed. Find the total distance travelled until \(P\) comes to instantaneous rest.
    If you use the following lined page to complete the answer(s) to any question(s), the question number(s) must be clearly shown.
CAIE M1 2023 June Q5
6 marks Standard +0.8
5 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{e5ee28f2-5876-4149-9a77-18c5792c1bd8-07_366_567_258_790} A particle of mass 0.6 kg is placed on a rough plane which is inclined at an angle of \(35 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. The particle is kept in equilibrium by a horizontal force of magnitude \(P \mathrm {~N}\) acting in a vertical plane containing a line of greatest slope (see diagram). The coefficient of friction between the particle and plane is 0.4 . Find the least possible value of \(P\).
CAIE M1 2013 November Q4
8 marks Standard +0.8
4 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{79b90ef5-ef3a-4c59-b662-d0fbfba813ca-2_365_493_1749_826} A rough plane is inclined at an angle \(\alpha\) to the horizontal, where \(\tan \alpha = 2.4\). A small block of mass 0.6 kg is held at rest on the plane by a horizontal force of magnitude \(P \mathrm {~N}\). This force acts in a vertical plane through a line of greatest slope (see diagram). The coefficient of friction between the block and the plane is 0.4 . The block is on the point of slipping down the plane. By resolving forces parallel to and perpendicular to the inclined plane, or otherwise, find the value of \(P\).
[0pt] [8]
Edexcel M1 2011 January Q6
15 marks Standard +0.3
6. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{4878b6c2-0c62-4398-8a8f-913139bc8a14-10_426_768_239_653} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} A particle of weight 120 N is placed on a fixed rough plane which is inclined at an angle \(\alpha\) to the horizontal, where \(\tan \alpha = \frac { 3 } { 4 }\).
The coefficient of friction between the particle and the plane is \(\frac { 1 } { 2 }\).
The particle is held at rest in equilibrium by a horizontal force of magnitude 30 N , which acts in the vertical plane containing the line of greatest slope of the plane through the particle, as shown in Figure 2.
  1. Show that the normal reaction between the particle and the plane has magnitude 114 N . \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{4878b6c2-0c62-4398-8a8f-913139bc8a14-10_433_774_1464_604} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 3}
    \end{figure} The horizontal force is removed and replaced by a force of magnitude \(P\) newtons acting up the slope along the line of greatest slope of the plane through the particle, as shown in Figure 3. The particle remains in equilibrium.
  2. Find the greatest possible value of \(P\).
  3. Find the magnitude and direction of the frictional force acting on the particle when \(P = 30\).
Edexcel M1 2001 June Q4
11 marks Standard +0.3
4. \begin{figure}[h]
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 3} \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{218383c1-0875-46f2-9416-8e827065a7a6-4_347_854_356_640}
\end{figure} A small parcel of mass 3 kg is held in equilibrium on a rough plane by the action of a horizontal force of magnitude 30 N acting in a vertical plane through a line of greatest slope. The plane is inclined at an angle of \(30 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal, as shown in Fig. 3. The parcel is modelled as a particle. The parcel is on the point of moving up the slope.
  1. Draw a diagram showing all the forces acting on the parcel.
  2. Find the normal reaction on the parcel.
  3. Find the coefficient of friction between the parcel and the plane.
Edexcel M1 2003 June Q4
8 marks Standard +0.3
4. \begin{figure}[h]
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2} \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{d91990b5-b7ea-485c-aa4e-fe42b61ca7f8-3_355_759_1087_605}
\end{figure} A parcel of mass 5 kg lies on a rough plane inclined at an angle \(\alpha\) to the horizontal, where \(\tan \alpha = \frac { 3 } { 4 }\). The parcel is held in equilibrium by the action of a horizontal force of magnitude 20 N , as shown in Fig. 2. The force acts in a vertical plane through a line of greatest slope of the plane. The parcel is on the point of sliding down the plane. Find the coefficient of friction between the parcel and the plane.
(8)
Edexcel M1 2012 June Q3
9 marks Standard +0.3
3. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{5c908e75-73df-46be-93bb-09dba2cb3b7e-04_432_780_210_584} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} A box of mass 5 kg lies on a rough plane inclined at \(30 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. The box is held in equilibrium by a horizontal force of magnitude 20 N , as shown in Figure 2. The force acts in a vertical plane containing a line of greatest slope of the inclined plane.
The box is in equilibrium and on the point of moving down the plane. The box is modelled as a particle. Find
  1. the magnitude of the normal reaction of the plane on the box,
  2. the coefficient of friction between the box and the plane.
Edexcel M1 2017 June Q4
9 marks Standard +0.3
4. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{c809d34e-83db-4a16-a831-001f9f36b1c3-10_291_926_251_516} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} A particle \(P\) of mass 5 kg is held at rest in equilibrium on a rough inclined plane by a horizontal force of magnitude 10 N . The plane is inclined to the horizontal at an angle \(\alpha\) where \(\tan \alpha = \frac { 3 } { 4 }\), as shown in Figure 1. The line of action of the force lies in the vertical plane containing \(P\) and a line of greatest slope of the plane. The coefficient of friction between \(P\) and the plane is \(\mu\). Given that \(P\) is on the point of sliding down the plane, find the value of \(\mu\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{c809d34e-83db-4a16-a831-001f9f36b1c3-13_2460_72_311_27}
Edexcel M1 2017 January Q6
14 marks Standard +0.3
6. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{ba698f74-a51c-409a-a9d9-e9080fc87be2-10_609_1013_118_456} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 3}
\end{figure} A particle \(P\) of mass 4 kg is held at rest at the point \(A\) on a rough plane which is inclined at \(30 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. The point \(B\) lies on the line of greatest slope of the plane that passes through \(A\). The point \(B\) is 5 m down the plane from \(A\), as shown in Figure 3. The coefficient of friction between the plane and \(P\) is 0.3 The particle is released from rest at \(A\) and slides down the plane.
  1. Find the speed of \(P\) at the instant it reaches \(B\). \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{ba698f74-a51c-409a-a9d9-e9080fc87be2-10_478_1011_1343_456} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 4}
    \end{figure} The particle is now returned to \(A\) and is held in equilibrium by a horizontal force of magnitude \(H\) newtons, as shown in Figure 4. The line of action of the force lies in the vertical plane containing the line of greatest slope of the plane through \(A\). The particle is on the point of moving up the plane.
  2. Find the value of \(H\).
Edexcel M1 2014 June Q3
12 marks Standard +0.3
3. A particle \(P\) of mass 1.5 kg is placed at a point \(A\) on a rough plane which is inclined at \(30 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. The coefficient of friction between \(P\) and the plane is 0.6
  1. Show that \(P\) rests in equilibrium at \(A\). A horizontal force of magnitude \(X\) newtons is now applied to \(P\), as shown in Figure 1. The force acts in a vertical plane containing a line of greatest slope of the inclined plane. \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{edcc4603-f006-4c4f-a4e5-063cab41da98-04_236_584_667_680} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
    \end{figure} The particle is on the point of moving up the plane.
  2. Find
    1. the magnitude of the normal reaction of the plane on \(P\),
    2. the value of \(X\).
Edexcel M1 2015 June Q3
10 marks Standard +0.3
3. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{3280fdf1-d81a-4729-b065-e84dece6a220-05_325_947_267_493} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} A particle \(P\) of mass 2 kg is pushed by a constant horizontal force of magnitude 30 N up a line of greatest slope of a rough plane. The plane is inclined to the horizontal at an angle \(\alpha\), where \(\tan \alpha = \frac { 3 } { 4 }\), as shown in Figure 1. The line of action of the force lies in the vertical plane containing \(P\) and the line of greatest slope of the plane. The particle \(P\) starts from rest. The coefficient of friction between \(P\) and the plane is \(\mu\). After 2 seconds, \(P\) has travelled a distance of 5.5 m up the plane.
  1. Find the acceleration of \(P\) up the plane.
  2. Find the value of \(\mu\).
Edexcel M1 2018 October Q8
17 marks Standard +0.3
8. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{5f2d38d9-b719-4205-8cb0-caa959afc46f-28_268_634_292_657} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 4}
\end{figure} A rough plane is inclined at \(30 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. A particle \(P\) of mass 0.5 kg is held at rest on the plane by a horizontal force of magnitude 5 N , as shown in Figure 4. The force acts in a vertical plane containing a line of greatest slope of the inclined plane. The particle is on the point of moving up the plane.
  1. Find the magnitude of the normal reaction of the plane on \(P\).
  2. Find the coefficient of friction between \(P\) and the plane. The force of magnitude 5 N is now removed and \(P\) accelerates from rest down the plane.
  3. Find the speed of \(P\) after it has travelled 3 m down the plane.
Edexcel M1 2009 January Q5
13 marks Standard +0.3
5.
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{86bb11a4-b409-49b1-bffb-d0e3727d345c-07_352_834_300_551}
\section*{Figure 2} A small package of mass 1.1 kg is held in equilibrium on a rough plane by a horizontal force. The plane is inclined at an angle \(\alpha\) to the horizontal, where \(\tan \alpha = \frac { 3 } { 4 }\). The force acts in a vertical plane containing a line of greatest slope of the plane and has magnitude \(P\) newtons, as shown in Figure 2. The coefficient of friction between the package and the plane is 0.5 and the package is modelled as a particle. The package is in equilibrium and on the point of slipping down the plane.
  1. Draw, on Figure 2, all the forces acting on the package, showing their directions clearly.
    1. Find the magnitude of the normal reaction between the package and the plane.
    2. Find the value of \(P\).
OCR MEI M1 2007 June Q5
4 marks Moderate -0.3
5 A block of weight 100 N is on a rough plane that is inclined at \(35 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. The block is in equilibrium with a horizontal force of 40 N acting on it, as shown in Fig. 5. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{3be85526-3872-42ac-8278-1d4a3cf75ff7-4_490_874_379_591} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 5}
\end{figure} Calculate the frictional force acting on the block.
OCR MEI M1 Q7
4 marks Moderate -0.3
7 A block of weight 100 N is on a rough plane that is inclined at \(35 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. The block is in equilibrium with a horizontal force of 40 N acting on it, as shown in Fig. 5. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{82f933a6-c17e-4b41-ae2b-3cc9d0ba975c-5_490_880_316_623} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 7}
\end{figure} Calculate the frictional force acting on the block.
Edexcel Paper 3 2022 June Q2
10 marks Standard +0.3
2. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{414946db-64d7-44b8-801d-2c7805ee9cc6-04_282_627_246_721} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} A rough plane is inclined to the horizontal at an angle \(\alpha\), where \(\tan \alpha = \frac { 3 } { 4 }\) A small block \(B\) of mass 5 kg is held in equilibrium on the plane by a horizontal force of magnitude \(X\) newtons, as shown in Figure 1. The force acts in a vertical plane which contains a line of greatest slope of the inclined plane. The block \(B\) is modelled as a particle.
The magnitude of the normal reaction of the plane on \(B\) is 68.6 N .
Using the model,
    1. find the magnitude of the frictional force acting on \(B\),
    2. state the direction of the frictional force acting on \(B\). The horizontal force of magnitude \(X\) newtons is now removed and \(B\) moves down the plane. Given that the coefficient of friction between \(B\) and the plane is 0.5
  1. find the acceleration of \(B\) down the plane.
AQA M1 2014 June Q8
12 marks Standard +0.3
8 A crate, of mass 40 kg , is initially at rest on a rough slope inclined at \(30 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal, as shown in the diagram. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{788534a5-abbb-4d6a-87b2-c54e859a128a-18_355_882_411_587} The coefficient of friction between the crate and the slope is \(\mu\).
  1. Given that the crate is on the point of slipping down the slope, find \(\mu\).
  2. A horizontal force of magnitude \(X\) newtons is now applied to the crate, as shown in the diagram. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{788534a5-abbb-4d6a-87b2-c54e859a128a-18_357_881_1208_575}
    1. Find the normal reaction on the crate in terms of \(X\).
    2. Given that the crate accelerates up the slope at \(0.2 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\), find \(X\).
      [0pt] [5 marks]
      \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{788534a5-abbb-4d6a-87b2-c54e859a128a-19_2484_1707_221_153}
Edexcel Paper 3 2018 June Q7
8 marks Standard +0.3
7. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{65e4b254-fb7b-45c2-9702-32f034018193-20_264_698_246_685} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} A wooden crate of mass 20 kg is pulled in a straight line along a rough horizontal floor using a handle attached to the crate.
The handle is inclined at an angle \(\alpha\) to the floor, as shown in Figure 1, where \(\tan \alpha = \frac { 3 } { 4 }\) The tension in the handle is 40 N .
The coefficient of friction between the crate and the floor is 0.14
The crate is modelled as a particle and the handle is modelled as a light rod.
Using the model,
  1. find the acceleration of the crate. The crate is now pushed along the same floor using the handle. The handle is again inclined at the same angle \(\alpha\) to the floor, and the thrust in the handle is 40 N as shown in Figure 2 below. \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{65e4b254-fb7b-45c2-9702-32f034018193-20_220_923_1457_571} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
    \end{figure}
  2. Explain briefly why the acceleration of the crate would now be less than the acceleration of the crate found in part (a).
Edexcel M1 2015 January Q2
8 marks Standard +0.3
\includegraphics{figure_1} A block of mass 50 kg lies on a rough plane which is inclined to the horizontal at an angle \(\alpha\), where \(\tan\alpha = \frac{7}{24}\). The block is held at rest by a vertical rope, as shown in Figure 1, and is on the point of sliding down the plane. The block is modelled as a particle and the rope is modelled as a light inextensible string. Given that the friction force acting on the block has magnitude 65.8 N, find
  1. the tension in the rope, [4]
  2. the coefficient of friction between the block and the plane. [4]
Edexcel M1 2015 January Q5
10 marks Standard +0.8
\includegraphics{figure_2} A particle \(P\) of mass 2 kg is pushed up a line of greatest slope of a rough plane by a horizontal force of magnitude \(X\) newtons, as shown in Figure 2. The force acts in the vertical plane which contains \(P\) and a line of greatest slope of the plane. The plane is inclined to the horizontal at an angle \(\alpha\), where \(\tan\alpha = \frac{3}{4}\). The coefficient of friction between \(P\) and the plane is 0.5 Given that the acceleration of \(P\) is 1.45 m s\(^{-2}\), find the value of \(X\). [10]
OCR M1 Specimen Q7
13 marks Standard +0.3
A sledge of mass 25 kg is on a plane inclined at \(30°\) to the horizontal. The coefficient of friction between the sledge and the plane is 0.2.
  1. \includegraphics{figure_6} The sledge is pulled up the plane, with constant acceleration, by means of a light cable which is parallel to a line of greatest slope (see Fig. 1). The sledge starts from rest and acquires a speed of \(0.8 \text{ m s}^{-1}\) after being pulled for 10 s. Ignoring air resistance, find the tension in the cable. [6]
  2. \includegraphics{figure_7} On a subsequent occasion the cable is not in use and two people of total mass 150 kg are seated in the sledge. The sledge is held at rest by a horizontal force of magnitude \(P\) newtons, as shown in Fig. 2. Find the least value of \(P\) which will prevent the sledge from sliding down the plane. [7]
OCR H240/03 2023 June Q9
6 marks Challenging +1.2
\includegraphics{figure_9} A block \(B\) of weight \(10 \text{N}\) lies at rest in equilibrium on a rough plane inclined at \(\theta\) to the horizontal. A horizontal force of magnitude \(2 \text{N}\), acting above a line of greatest slope, is applied to \(B\) (see diagram).
  1. Complete the diagram in the Printed Answer Booklet to show all the forces acting on \(B\). [1]
It is given that \(B\) remains at rest and the coefficient of friction between \(B\) and the plane is 0.8.
  1. Determine the greatest possible value of \(\tan \theta\). [5]
SPS SPS FM Mechanics 2021 September Q5
8 marks Standard +0.3
In this question use \(g = 10 \text{ m s}^{-2}\). A particle of mass 3 kg rests in limiting equilibrium on a rough plane inclined at \(30°\) to the horizontal.
  1. Find the exact value of the coefficient of friction between the particle and the plane. [2]
A horizontal force of 36 N is now applied to the particle.
  1. Find how far down the plane the particle travels after the force has been applied for 4 s. [6]