Inclined Plane Calculator

Forces and Motion Analysis

Calculate all forces, acceleration, mechanical advantage, and efficiency for objects on an inclined plane with or without friction.

Inclined Plane Parameters

kg
°

Angle from horizontal (0-90°)

m/s²

Default: 9.81 m/s² (Earth)

Key Formulas

F∥ = mg sin(θ)

N = mg cos(θ)

f = μN

a = (F∥ - f) / m

Note

Positive acceleration means the object accelerates down the plane. Negative acceleration means friction prevents motion or slows it down.

About Inclined Planes

An inclined plane is a simple machine that reduces the force needed to lift an object by increasing the distance over which the force is applied.

  • Weight splits into parallel and perpendicular components
  • Mechanical advantage increases with smaller angles
  • Friction reduces efficiency

Applications

  • Ramps and wheelchair access
  • Roads on mountains
  • Conveyor belts
  • Loading docks
  • Screw threads and wedges