Max Velocity of Wedge: When Block Reaches Height h

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The discussion centers on determining the maximum velocity of a wedge when a block slides within its depression. It is established that the wedge's velocity is maximized when the block reaches the midpoint of the depression, as this is the point where the horizontal forces acting on the wedge are balanced. The block's potential energy converts into kinetic energy, and at the midpoint, the block's acceleration ceases, leading to no net horizontal force on the wedge. The conservation of momentum indicates that the wedge will move to the right when the block moves to the left, achieving its maximum velocity. The key takeaway is that the wedge's maximum velocity occurs at the midpoint of the block's travel within the depression.
  • #31
gracy said:
Because as long force is there ,acceleration will also be there and so velocity will go on increasing and there will not be any instant when we can say that it is maximum velocity that's why when there is no horizontal force no acceleration as well as deceleration ,at that moment velocity will be maximum and that is certainly the midpoint of depression.Right?
Is this correct?
 
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  • #32
haruspex said:
If the block is not at the middle of the depression then the speed of the wedge is changing.
But it must be having some instantaneous velocity just before coming to mid point of depression.
 
Last edited:
  • #33
gracy said:
But it must be having some instantaneous velocity just before coming to mid point of depression.
Yes... so?
 
  • #34
gracy said:
But it must be having some instantaneous velocity just before coming to mid point of depression.
But it must be having some instantaneous velocity just before the block comes to mid point of depression.[/QUOTE]By it I mean wedge.
 
  • #35
gracy said:
But it must be having some instantaneous velocity just before the block comes to mid point of depression.
By it I mean wedge.[/QUOTE]
I agreed the wedge would have some instantaneous velocity before the block reaches the mid point. But it will not be quite as much as when the block is at the mid point.
 
  • #36
haruspex said:
But it will not be quite as much as when the block is at the mid point.
Why?
 
  • #37
gracy said:
Why?
Because as long as the block is not exactly at the mid point the normal force will have a horizontal component, accelerating the wedge.
 
  • #38
haruspex said:
Because as long as the block is not exactly at the mid point the normal force will have a horizontal component, accelerating the wedge.
That's why I have used the term just before coming at mid point.So that there will not be any horizontal force after that.
 
  • #39
It
gracy said:
That's why I have used the term just before coming at mid point.So that there will not be any horizontal force after that.
It's either at the mid point or it isn't. If it's not at the midpoint then there is a horizontal force, no matter how small.
 

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