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Ch 07: Newton's Third Law
Chapter 7, Problem 6

A rubber-wheeled 50 kg cart rolls down a 15 degrees concrete incline. What is the magnitude of the cart's acceleration if rolling friction is (a) neglected and (b) included?

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Newton's Second Law of Motion

Newton's Second Law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. This principle is fundamental in calculating the acceleration of the cart as it rolls down the incline, as it allows us to relate the gravitational force component acting along the incline to the cart's mass.
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Gravitational Force Component

When an object is on an incline, the gravitational force acting on it can be resolved into two components: one parallel to the incline and one perpendicular to it. The parallel component is responsible for the cart's acceleration down the slope, which can be calculated using the angle of the incline and the gravitational force acting on the cart.
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Rolling Friction

Rolling friction, or rolling resistance, is the force that opposes the motion of a rolling object. It is generally less than sliding friction and depends on factors such as the surface texture and the material of the wheels. When included in the analysis, rolling friction reduces the net force acting on the cart, thereby decreasing its acceleration compared to the scenario where it is neglected.
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