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enter image description here

As visible from the above picture, the normal reaction force while ascending on an incline gradually decreases, however for a circular/curved path it increases. Intuitively, this seems wrong to me.

My question is:

What is the significant difference in these two situations which is causing the Normal to increase/decrease respectively?

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  • $\begingroup$ In first case, on what basis are you saying that normal reaction will decrease? Overall, the normal reaction (acting perpendicular to plane): $N=Mgcos\theta$, where $\theta$ is angle of inclination. $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 27, 2021 at 8:49
  • $\begingroup$ Uh when $\theta$ increases $cos\theta$ decreases. $\endgroup$
    – user112196
    Commented Aug 27, 2021 at 13:54

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The normal reaction does not change along an incline of fixed slope- it remains constant. It varies on the circular path because the slope continuously varies.

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