Objects on a tilted surface called an incline plane accelerate down due to an unbalanced force.

There are two forces acting on an object on an inclined plane, namely, normal force which acts perpendicular to the surface, and gravitational force which acts downward. This object experiences an increase in velocity with time. The more time it travels, the higher the velocity. This can be expressed in the kinematic equation:

Objects that move through the air in a curved path are called projectiles where the only force it experiences is the force of gravity. Projectile motion involves two independent linear motions. First, the object travels along the inertial horizontal path. According to Newtons first law of motion, an object in motion tends to stay in motion while an object at rest tends to stay at rest. Thus, in the absence of an external force, an object in horizontal motion continues along a horizontal path at a constant speed. Second, the object travels downwards where it experiences acceleration due to the force of gravity. The vertical distance travelled can be calculated using the formula below wherein y is the vertical distance, vo is the initial velocity, t is the time, and g is the acceleration due to gravity, which is 9.8 m/s2. The combination of these two dimensions results in a parabolic trajectory.

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Inclined planes can be used to study the motion of projectiles as well. There exists a mathematical law that governs the relationship between the starting point on the ramp and the distance traveled. Although the work done by gravity on the object along the y axis is independent of the horizontal distance, it is proportional to its change in height. The potential energy that is converted to kinetic energy is all that has changed . This change in potential energy can be found by the formula below wherein m is the mass, g is gravitational acceleration (9.8m/s) and h is the change in height. m*g*h (3) The kinetic energy can be found by the formula below wherein v is the velocity and m is the mass.

1/2mv2 (4) This affects the initial velocity component of the equation. The initial velocity v0 is obtained by setting the kinetic energy gain equal to the potential energy loss of the ball on the ramp, assuming that the ball starts from rest. Because of gravity, the object is forced downward and the higher the inclination, the

more distance gravity has to apply to the object. Therefore, the higher up the inclination, the further the object will travel. (NOT SURE IF WE NEED THIS BUT ANYWAY) One may also use the concept of angles created when faced with projectiles involving inclinations or ramps. The ramp makes a triangle with the horizontal and vertical directions. The sides of the triangle are the length of the ramp (the hypotenuse), the altitude of the ramp (the vertical side) and the horizontal side. The quantities by which v0 is multiplied are simply the sine and cosine of the angle made by the initial velocity with horizontal. The range, R, is the distance the object travels horizontally. The initial velocity vi, is the speed at which the object is launched from the point of origin. The initial angle i, is the angle at which said object is released. The g is the respective gravitational pull on the object.

(5) In terms of angle of elevation , initial speed v, and range R:

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(8) Bibliography Class Notes Precalculus I, 11/19/98. (n.d.). vhcc. Retrieved July 9, 2011, from vhcc2.vhcc.edu/pc1fall9/lectures/pc_981117_981203/pc1_1119/class_notes.htm How does the hight of the ramp effects the distance the car travels. (n.d.). The Q&A wiki. Retrieved July 8, 2011, from http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_does_the_hight_of_the_ramp_eff Mechanics. (n.d.). mrfizix. Retrieved July 9, 2011, from www.mrfizix.com/home/projectilemotion.htm Trajectory. (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved July 9, 2011, from webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:xlCgcM6UXw0J:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trajec tory+v0+is+multiplied+are+simply+the+sine+and+cosine+of+the+angle+made+by+the+initial+v elocity+with+horizontal.&cd=8&hl=tl&ct=clnk&gl=ph&source=www.google.com.ph