Motion down a smooth plane

Section 1: Understanding Motion down a Smooth Plane

Understand the concept of Motion down a Smooth Plane as the way an object moves down a slope without any resistance or friction.
Familiarise yourself with the inclined plane which refers to the slope that is at an angle less than 90 degrees to the horizontal.
Appreciate that the weight of the object, acting vertically down, can be split into two components: one parallel to the plane and the other perpendicular to the plane.

Section 2: Forces Acting on an Object on a Smooth Plane

Knowing that the force pushing the object down the slope is its weight component parallel to the plane, acting down the plane.
Understand that the force acting on an object resting on a plane is the normal reaction force, acting perpendicular to the surface of the plane.
Become aware that in the absence of friction or air resistance, these are the only two forces acting on the object.

Section 3: Newton’s Second Law on Smooth Planes

Remember that Newton’s second law (force = mass x acceleration) is applied in analysing motion down a smooth plane.
Understand that using this law, the acceleration of an object down a smooth plane is given by g sin θ, where g is the acceleration due to gravity, and θ is the angle of inclination of the plane.

Section 4: Solving Problems

Learn how to use trigonometry and vectors to split forces into components parallel and perpendicular to the plane.
Become proficient in applying Newton’s Laws to generate equations of motion for the object.
Practice problem-solving using these principles to understand the motion of an object down a smooth inclined plane.

Section 5: Real-Life Applications

Recognise the relevance of this concept in real life applications such as skiing, sledding, and landslides.
Grasp how engineers use the understanding of motion down a smooth plane for designing slides, roads on hills, ski-jumps etc.
Appreciate the practicality of the principles of motion down a smooth plane in our daily lives.