The most complicated type of vector questions

Example: A car of 800kg is parked on a slope at 30 degrees to the horizontal. Calculate the acceleration of the car down the slope assuming friction and air resistance is negligible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These three forces can be resolved into a vector triangle (although it may not seem obvious) by applying some basic angle in triangle rules.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

W = mg
W = 800 x 9.81 = 7848N

F = 7847 Sin(30) = 3924N

F = ma
a = 3924 / 800 = 4.905 ms^-2