Is the Solution for the Block's Acceleration on an Accelerating Wedge Correct?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a block sliding on a 45-degree wedge that is accelerating along a table. The objective is to determine the block's acceleration in the vertical direction while considering the effects of gravity and the wedge's acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive the block's acceleration using Newton's laws in both inertial and non-inertial frames, leading to equations involving forces and accelerations. Some participants question the correctness of the original poster's solution and suggest using pseudo forces to analyze the problem.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the problem, with some providing alternative expressions for the block's acceleration. There is acknowledgment of mistakes in calculations, and participants are exploring the concept of pseudo forces in non-inertial frames.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of confusion regarding the behavior of the block when the wedge's acceleration exceeds gravitational acceleration. Some participants express uncertainty about the concept of pseudo forces and their application in this context.

housemartin
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Hello,

Homework Statement


A 45o wedge is pushed along a table with constant acceleration A. A block of mass m slides without friction on the wedge. Find its acceleration in y direction. (Gravity directed down, acceleration due to gravity is g).
[PLAIN]http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/6958/wedge45.jpg

Homework Equations


if i make x' be a horizontal coordinate moving with wedge, then this is in not inertial frame so -mA term adds:
[tex]m \frac{d^2 x'}{dt^2} = F_x - mA = N cos(\theta) - mA[/tex] (1)
y coordinate is inertial, and Newton second law is:
[tex]m \frac{d^2 y}{dt^2} = F_y = N sin(\theta) - mg[/tex] (2)
The only forces as seen by inertial observer are mg and normal force N.
To associate accelerations of x and y in inertial frame I make X (acceleration A) to be position of wedge and x that of block, then:
[tex]-\frac{d^2 y}{dt^2} = (\frac{d^2 x}{dt^2}-A)tan(\theta)[/tex] (3)
sins theta = 45, tan(45)=1

The Attempt at a Solution


Solving equations (1) and (2) for N, and dividing one by another, i get:
[tex]tan(\theta)(\frac{d^2 x'}{dt^2}+A) = (\frac{d^2 y}{dt^2} + g)[/tex]
Since acceleration of x' in not inertial frame plus A is acceleration of block in inertial frame, and tan(45) = 1, i get:
[tex]\frac{d^2 x}{dt^2} = \frac{d^2 y}{dt^2} + g[/tex]
Combining this with equation (3), i get:
[tex]\frac{d^2 y}{dt^2} = (A - g)/2[/tex]
Is my solution correct? The fact that when A>g block is moving up kinda confuses me. Sorry for my english.
 
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dude, the answer is ay= |g-A| /2

it can be brought by simply using the pseudo force on the block. :approve:
 
is my answer correct??
 
bikramjit das is right ... just use pseudo force ... pseudo forces come into action when tyou need to apply Newton's laws in non inertial frame ... F(pseudo) = -ma
m is mass of body on which Newton's laws are to be applied and a is acc. of frame ((the bigger block)

note F is opposote to a
 
well i made few mistakes in my solution, forgot to divide by two and mixed + and - sign in one place. So my final answer is ay = (A-g)/2. What is pseudo i don't know ;] if it's F = -mA, this is kinda way i did this problem. Just i have no idea how to bring this in a simple way.
 
wat u did is conventional. but pseudo force takes place when the system is in non- inertial frame of ref. Refer google with the term "pseudo force", u'll definitely get what I am trying to say
 
ok, thank you both for help.
 

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