Identity
Dec5-09, 12:00 AM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A point particle of mass m is sliding down a wedge inclined at an angle of \alpha to the horizontal. The wedge has a mass m and is free to slide on a smooth horizontal surface. When the mass has fallen a height h, what will be the speed of the wedge?
2. Relevant equations
3. The attempt at a solution
I tried a kinematics approach with a lot of angle-bashing and eventually came up with:
v = \frac{h}{g^2} \cot \alpha
But this is wrong, and I have a feeling this is too complex for kinematics
I've thought about a conservation of energy approach with
mgh = \frac{1}{2}mu^2+\frac{1}{2}mv^2
where 'u' is the speed of the particle and 'v' is the speed of the block, but I don't know how to divde up the speeds!
thanks
A point particle of mass m is sliding down a wedge inclined at an angle of \alpha to the horizontal. The wedge has a mass m and is free to slide on a smooth horizontal surface. When the mass has fallen a height h, what will be the speed of the wedge?
2. Relevant equations
3. The attempt at a solution
I tried a kinematics approach with a lot of angle-bashing and eventually came up with:
v = \frac{h}{g^2} \cot \alpha
But this is wrong, and I have a feeling this is too complex for kinematics
I've thought about a conservation of energy approach with
mgh = \frac{1}{2}mu^2+\frac{1}{2}mv^2
where 'u' is the speed of the particle and 'v' is the speed of the block, but I don't know how to divde up the speeds!
thanks