Recent content by coddy

That gives me: a=g.f`(x)/sqrt(1+f`(x)^2) Which is the acceleration of the "ball". However, this is the acceleration of the ball parallel to the slope... I am only interested in acceleration which will affect the ball's x-coordinate, as this determines the balls change in x-position...

Now I'm more confused, I tried deriving the formula again and can't remember how i came to the original one. This is what i did this time: On a triangle where "theta" is equal to tan^-1 (f`(X)), the component of "g" down the slope =g/sin(theta). Then draw a second similar triangle where the...

I was wondering about the problem of having a "ramp" defined as y=f(x), and a ball (or other object) beginning at "X_0" with initial velocity "V_0" and being allowed, under acceleration due to gravity, to move frictionlessly on the ramp's surface. I thought the easiest way to approach this is...