Mass not sliding on a smooth, accelerating base

AI Thread Summary
To keep mass m stationary on a smooth, accelerating base M, the acceleration of M must equal g times the tangent of the angle of the incline (a = g tan(α)). The discussion emphasizes using Newton's second law to derive this relationship. The initial approach suggested calculating the acceleration of the block on a stationary ramp before considering the ramp's motion. While the derived answer is straightforward, other more complex solutions involving mass M exist. The consensus leans towards the simpler answer being appropriate for a quiz setting.
Karol
Messages
1,380
Reaction score
22

Homework Statement


Mass m lays on the smooth triangle of mass M. what is the acceleration of M so that m will stay in place.

Homework Equations


Newton's second law: ##F=ma##

The Attempt at a Solution


$$\tan\alpha=\frac{ma}{mg}\;\rightarrow\; a=g\tan\alpha$$
 

Attachments

  • Snap1.jpg
    Snap1.jpg
    8.5 KB · Views: 445
Physics news on Phys.org
My suggestion is to determine the acceleration of the block if the ramp is not moving first, down the slope.
 
Looks right to me, is your answer supposed to be wrong?
 
Nathanael said:
Looks right to me, is your answer supposed to be wrong?
It's one of the possible answers but the other answers are complicated and include M. it's logical that my answer is correct since it's a short quiz, not a long exam
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Calculating acceleration of a prism and block connected to a wall through a rope and pulley
Replies
4
Views
329
Masses sliding on a smooth wedge
Replies
31
Views
3K
Wooden sphere rolling on a double metal track
2
Replies
97
Views
5K
Two ropes pulling on a cylinder that is translating and rotating on a plane
Replies
2
Views
730
Will the Block Slide on an Accelerating Inclined Plane?
Replies
4
Views
4K
The solution of a problem regarding center of mass
Replies
9
Views
2K
Problem with pulleys - two fixed and one movable
Replies
22
Views
315
Spring Problem Involving Variables and Constants Only
Replies
3
Views
1K
How Does Torque Affect the Motion of a Disc Pulled Across a Table?
Replies
3
Views
2K
Newton's law problem: Pushing 2 stacked blocks on a horizontal table
Replies
13
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top