Three forces act on the block: gravity (mg, straight down), the normal force
(perpendicular to the ramp), and friction (opposing motion along the ramp).
Resolving gravity along the incline gives the net acceleration.
N = m·g·cos(θ)
f = μ·N (kinetic friction, opposes sliding)
a = g·(sin θ − μ·cos θ) (down the slope, if a > 0 it slides)
KE = ½mv², PE = mgh (h = remaining height above the base)
- Incline angle — steeper ramps increase the gravity component along the slope.
- Mass — cancels out of acceleration (Galileo's insight) but scales KE/PE and the normal force.
- Friction μ — set it above tan(angle) and the block won't move at all.
- Gravity preset — swap g to see the same block behave completely differently on the Moon or Mars.