- #1
Strukus
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Homework Statement
This is straight from the book.
A small block of mass m rests on the sloping side of a triangular block of mass M which itself rests on a horizontal table as shown in Fig. 4-50. Assuming all surfaces are frictionless, determine the force F that must be applied to M so that m remains in a fixed position relative to M (that is, m doesn't move on the incline).
(I forgot to draw the surface the triangular block is on and sorry for the big picture!)
The answer is:
(m + M) [tex]\ast[/tex] g[tex]\ast[/tex] tan([tex]\phi[/tex])
Homework Equations
Force along the x-axis: m [tex]\ast[/tex] g [tex]\ast[/tex] sin([tex]\phi[/tex])
Force along the y-axis: m [tex]\ast[/tex] g [tex]\ast[/tex] cos([tex]\phi[/tex])
The Attempt at a Solution
I know that there must be an equal and opposite force along the incline but I have no clue how to approach this problem.