Help with introductory physics please

Rather than taking the stairs, Martin gets from the second floor of his house to the first floor by sliding down the banister that is inclined at an angle of 30.0 degrees to the horizontal.
a) If Martin has a mass of 45 kg and the coefficient of sliding friction between Martin and the banister is 0.20, what is the force of friction impeding Martin's motion down the banister?

b) If the banister is made steeped (inclined at a larger angle), will this have any effect on the force of friction? If so, what?

Question

Help with introductory physics please

Rather than taking the stairs, Martin gets from the second floor of his house to the first floor by sliding down the banister that is inclined at an angle of 30.0 degrees to the horizontal.
a) If Martin has a mass of 45 kg and the coefficient of sliding friction between Martin and the banister is 0.20, what is the force of friction impeding Martin's motion down the banister?

b) If the banister is made steeped (inclined at a larger angle), will this have any effect on the force of friction? If so, what?

aaronq · Answer

First draw a free body diagram, identify the forces and directions.

Sum up the horizontal and vertical forces individually