Problem on block sliding on a wedge

gauravkukreja

Consider a block of mass 'm' kept on the hypotenuse of a right triangular wedge of mass 'M'. Calculate the accelaration of the wedge and the block.
Hence find the force that should be applied to 'M' so that 'm' does not move?

airbuzz

is there no friction?
in this case the interaction force between the block and the wedge is the normal vincular reaction, that is equal to the normal compnent of the block weight that is:
[tex]N=mg\cos\alpha[/tex]
where alpha is the lower angle of the wedge. So the horizontal force between the wedge and the block is
[tex]F=Nsen\alpha=mg\cos\alpha\, sen\alpha[/tex]
Considering the wedge it receives a force equal to F so it moves with an acceleration equal to
[tex]a=\frac{F}{M}=\frac{m}{M}g\cos\alpha\, sen\alpha[/tex]

airbuzz

For the second question I don´t understand if m must not move respect a fix coordinate or respect to the wedge...