Enter the mass, coefficient of friction, and angle of incline into the calculator to determine the push or pull force required. This calculator helps in understanding the force needed to move an object on an inclined plane.

Push/Pull Force Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the push or pull force:

F = m * g * sin(θ) + μ * m * g * cos(θ)

Variables:

  • F is the force required to push or pull (N)
  • m is the mass of the object (kg)
  • g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s²)
  • θ is the angle of incline (degrees)
  • μ is the coefficient of friction

To calculate the push or pull force, use the formula to add the force due to gravity along the incline to the force due to friction.

What is Push/Pull Force?

Push or pull force is the total force required to move an object along an inclined plane. It takes into account both the force due to gravity acting down the incline and the force of friction between the object and the surface. This force is critical in fields such as engineering, physics, and ergonomics, where it is important to understand the effort required to move objects safely and efficiently.

How to Calculate Push/Pull Force?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Push/Pull Force:


  1. First, determine the mass of the object (m) in kilograms.
  2. Next, determine the coefficient of friction (μ) between the object and the surface.
  3. Next, determine the angle of incline (θ) in degrees.
  4. Use the formula F = m * g * sin(θ) + μ * m * g * cos(θ) to calculate the force.
  5. Finally, calculate the Push/Pull Force (F) in Newtons (N).
  6. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem:

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Mass of the object (m) = 50 kg

Coefficient of friction (μ) = 0.3

Angle of incline (θ) = 25 degrees