Determine the normal force for a laundry basket with a mass of 4.8 kg in each of the following situations (a) at rest on a horizontal surface N (b) at rest on a ramp inclined at 12° above the horizontal N (c) at rest on a ramp inclined at 25° above the horizontal N (d) at rest on a ramp inclined at 45° above the horizontal N

(a) 47.04 N

(b) 46 N

(c) 42.63 N

(d) 33.26 N

Explanation:

mass of basket, m = 4.8 kg

(a) Normal force, N = mg = 4.8 x 9.8 = 47.04 newton

(b) Inclination of inclined plane, θ = 12°

Normal force, N = mg cosθ = 4.8 x 9.8 x Cos 12 = 46 Newton

(c) Inclination of inclined plane, θ = 25°

Normal force, N = mg cosθ = 4.8 x 9.8 x Cos 25 = 42.63 Newton

(d) Inclination of inclined plane, θ = 45°

Normal force, N = mg cosθ = 4.8 x 9.8 x Cos 45 = 33.26 Newton