Question

A block of mass $m$ slides down a plane inclined at an angle $\theta$ . Which of the following will NOT increase the energy lost by the block due to friction?

• A. Increasing the angle of inclination
• B. Increasing the distance that the block travels
• C. Increasing the acceleration due to gravity
• D. Increasing the mass of the block

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Increasing the acceleration due to gravity

The energy lost due to friction on an inclined plane is given as

$E=F_{fric}d$

The force due to friction is given as

$f_{fric}={\mu }_k{F}_N$

$F_N=mg\cos \theta$

By substituting the normal force we get

$E={\mu }_{k}mg\cos \theta \cdot d$

This is the energy lost is lifting up the mass.

Since the mass is sliding down the energy is given as

$E=\mu R$

$E=\mu mg$

Since the acceleration due to gravity is constant it depends on the coefficient of friction.