- #1
phzzo
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Homework Statement
Two identical metal blocks, H and A, are placed at equal heights on frictionless ramps as shown above. The blocks are released at the same time, travel down the ramp, and then slide off their respective ends of the table. Block H leaves the table from a horizontal surface. Block A leaves the table at a 30 degree incline. Both blocks leave the table from the same height.
1) Indicate which block, if either, will be traveling faster when it reaches its highest point after leaving the table. Justify your answer qualitatively without using any equations.
2) Justify your answer about which block, if either, will be traveling faster when it reaches its highest point quantitatively using appropriate equations.
3) Is enough information provided to determine which block, if either, travels a greater horizontal distance before hitting the floor? If so, indicate your prediction and justify your answer qualitatively. If not, indicate what additional information is needed and explain how you would use that information to determine which block would travel a greater horizontal distance.
4) Is enough information provided to determine which block, if either, has a greater speed at the instant it hits the floor? If so, indicate your prediction and justify your answer qualitatively. If not, indicate what additional information is needed and explain how you would use that information to determine which block would hit the ground with a greater speed.
Homework Equations
x = vxt + x0
y = 1/2ayt + v0yt + y0
The Attempt at a Solution
1) Vertical velocity is 0 at highest point, so speed depends on horizontal velocity? I feel like neither block may be traveling faster, but I don't know why.
2) VAcos30 = VAx I think, I'm not sure about VHx.
3) There is not enough information. To find the horizontal distance of each, I would need to know their horizontal velocities and the time it takes for each to hit the floor to plug into x = vxt + x0
4) There is not enough information. To find their final velocities, I think I would need their horizontal velocities and the time, as well as their initial vertical velocities, which would be 0 and VAsin30? Vy = ayt + V0y finds their vertical velocities, and their final speeds can be found with the Pythagorean theorem?