Calculate Forces on an Inclined Plane

Calculator for the forces on an inclined plane without friction. The unit for the forces is generally Newton or derived from it. The normal component of the weight force has the same magnitude as the normal force, but points in the opposite direction. The applied force is the sine of the angle of inclination of the inclined plane multiplied by the weight force. The normal component of the weight force is calculated using the analogous formula with the cosine instead of the sine. The applied force and the normal component of the weight force are therefore perpendicular to each other and when the forces are added together they again result in the weight force.

FH = FG * sin(α) FGN = FG * cos(α)

Please enter angle in degrees and one force, the other two forces will be calculated. Here you can convert angle units.

An inclined plane is a flat surface that is oblique. Without friction, objects slide down it with a downward force of gravity. The steeper the incline, the stronger the downward force, with the result that things slide faster. If you were to put a ball on the inclined plane without friction, it would not roll, but would also slide down. If there is friction, everything becomes much more complicated and the static friction must first be overcome before anything starts moving. Depending on their shape, objects can also start rolling.
The inclined plane is an ancient tool for overcoming differences in height. With the help of ramps, which correspond to an inclined plane, heavy stones can be raised up and large buildings can be built with them. Galileo Galilei did not discover the laws of falling objects in free fall, but on the inclined plane, where measurements can be made better due to the lower speed. When observing different speeds for different distances, friction is irrelevant, as it cancels out in comparison.