SM251     Inclined Plane     circa 1963     Mechanics

  The apparatus consists of a wooden board that can be clamped at varying angles to the horizontal and a pulley by means of which forces can be applied parallel to it.   It is used to investigate properties such as friction and the equilibrium of forces.

  As an example, a cylindrical roller can be placed on the inclined plane and weights can be placed in the vertically hanging pan to act on the roller until equilibrium is achieved.   The relationship between the weight of the roller and hanging masses for different inclinations can be investigated.

  If the roller is replaced by a sliding mass, the frictional resistance between the surfaces can be investigated by noting the limiting angle where the mass just begins to slide.   The coefficient of static friction will be the tangent of the limiting angle.