Find Block's Acceleration w/ 45 Degree Wedge & Constant A

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around finding the acceleration of a block sliding on a 45-degree wedge that is accelerating with a constant acceleration A. The user struggles with applying Newton's laws and the constraint equation, leading to confusion about the relationship between the block's and wedge's accelerations. They derive expressions for the x and y accelerations but encounter contradictions, particularly when substituting values like A = 3g. The user suspects a fundamental error related to inertial reference frames and considers re-evaluating their approach by solving for the y acceleration first. The conversation highlights the complexities of analyzing motion in non-inertial frames and the importance of correctly applying physics principles.
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Homework Statement



A 45 degree wedge is pushed along a table with constant acceleration A. A block of mass m slides without friction on the wedge. Find the block's acceleration. Gravity is directed down.

Homework Equations



Constraint Equation:
\tan\theta=\frac{\ddot{y}}{\ddot{x}-\ddot{X}}

Equations (p is for parallel and p2 is for perpendicular, eg. x and y directions):

F_{pb}=N\sin{\theta}=m\ddot{x}
F_{p^2b}=N\cos{\theta}-mg=m\ddot{y}
F_{pw}=F-N'\sin{\theta}=MA

The Attempt at a Solution



It's embarrassing how this problem seems difficult for me; I'm probably making some fundamental error somewhere.

Newton's 3rd Law: N=N'
N=\frac{m\ddot{x}}{\sin{\theta}}=\frac{m(g+\ddot{y})}{\cos{\theta}}

Because the angle is 45 degrees, the tangent of theta is just 1. Solving for the x acceleration, we get:
\ddot{x}=(g+\ddot{y})

Now, according to the constraint equation, the acceleration in the y direction is equal to the tangent of theta times the x acceleration of the block minus the x acceleration of the wedge itself. Following the constraint equation, I get:
\ddot{y}=(g+\ddot{y})-A

(tangent of 45 is 1). There is no way to solve for the y acceleration here. If, back when I solved for the normal force, I included the tangent of theta, I would've been able to solve for the acceleration but I would have to divide by zero, which means there is no y acceleration. The hint, however, states otherwise: If A = 3g then the y acceleration is g. Where am I going wrong? I'm going to try and solve for the y acceleration instead of the x acceleration first and see where that takes me.
 
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I've reached a rather strange conclusion; I solved for the y acceleration in from the normal force equation (2 of them):
\frac{m\ddot{x}}{\cos{\theta}}=\frac{m(g+\ddot{y})}{\sin{\theta}}
\ddot{y}=\ddot{x}-g

From the constraint equation:
(\ddot{x}-\ddot{X})\tan{\theta}=\ddot{y}=\ddot{x}-g

Solving for x, we get:
\ddot{x}=\frac{-\ddot{X}\tan{\theta}}{(1-\tan{\theta})}-g

If A is 3g, then the y acceleration must be g; this equation shows that, but it is for the x direction. When I plug it into the y equation, things don't make any sense.
 
I feel like I'm making a mistake that deals with inertial reference frames; bump?
 
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