A really good problem(Not for everyone)

  • Thread starter Thread starter FedEx
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a prism of mass M on an inclined surface at angle alpha, with a block of mass m attached to a vertical wall via a massless rope over a pulley. The participants analyze the acceleration of the prism relative to the block and the ground, emphasizing that the block's downward acceleration equals the prism's acceleration towards the wall due to the unelastic nature of the string. Key forces considered include gravitational force (mgsin(alpha)), tension in the rope, and normal forces between the block and the prism. The need for further calculations and validation of the established equations is highlighted.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Knowledge of forces and tension in physics
  • Familiarity with inclined plane mechanics
  • Basic vector addition principles
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the resultant acceleration of the block relative to the ground
  • Explore the effects of normal force on the motion of the prism
  • Review the principles of tension in massless strings
  • Study the application of vector addition in dynamic systems
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding dynamics involving inclined planes and tension forces in mechanical systems.

FedEx
Messages
318
Reaction score
0
A really good problem

Hi
A prism of mass M is kept on a horizontal surface having the inclination of alpha. A small block of mass m is kept on the prism. This block is attached to a vertical wall with a massless rope passing over a pulley which is at the free vertex of the prism.Find the acc of the prism wrt to the block m and wrt the ground.
I hope that you people are able to understand the question.As i am not able to upload the figure.

All the surfaces are friction less. Now what i have been trying is that that the acc with which the block m comes down is equal to the acc with which the prism moves towards the wall because the string is unelastic. But here the acc of the prism is wrt to ground and the acc of the block is wrt to the prism so by triangle law of addition the resultant of these two vectors would be acc of block wrt to the ground. So here we can get the value of the acc of the block wrt ground in terms of the acc of either the prism wrt to ground or the acc of the block wrt prism ,as both are same.

Now there is some tension in the string and this tension opposes the motion of the block on the prism but the block tends to move due to mgsin(alpha). But this tension helps the prism to move towards the wall.Moreover we will have to consider the normal force exerted by the block on prism which will also help the prism to move.But i think we will have to again take a comp of N.Also we will have to consider the normal force exerted by the prism on the block.
I think i have included all the forces,are any forces left to include? If no then i think that the equations which i have formed are correct.I would try to post the equations if i my above logic is approved by you people.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Now i think that the calculation part needs to be done and the resultant acc of block wrt to the ground should be found out. Please suggest the changes if any in my logic and help me with the calculation.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
5K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 47 ·
2
Replies
47
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 52 ·
2
Replies
52
Views
4K
Replies
31
Views
2K