Slipping block on a slipping ramp: final speed

AI Thread Summary
A block with mass m slides down a frictionless ramp of mass M at an angle θ, and the goal is to determine the ramp's speed V when the block leaves it. The user initially applies conservation of momentum and energy but arrives at an incorrect formula for V. The correct approach involves recognizing the relative motion between the block and the ramp, leading to the inclusion of the (m+M) term in the final speed equation. The discussion highlights the importance of defining the reference frames correctly and understanding the components of motion. The linked post provides clarification on the correct application of these principles.
DavideGenoa
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Hi, friends! A block having mass ##m## frictionlessly slips from height ##h## on a ramp of mass ##M##, which has an angle ##\theta## with the floor, where it slips with no friction.

inclineWithTheta.gif


I would like to prove that, as my book says, the ramp's speed when the block leaves it is

##V=\sqrt{\frac{2m^2gh\cos^2\theta}{(m+M)(M+m\sin^2\theta)}}.##​

But I cannot reach this result. Because of the conservation of momentum in the direction parallel to the floor, which is a direction where no external force act on the system block-ramp, I would say that the speed ##v## of the block when it leaves the ramp is such that ##mv\cos\theta=M V## and, because of the conservation of mechanical energy, I would think that ##mgh=\frac{1}{2}mv^2+\frac{1}{2} MV^2=\frac{1}{2}\big(\frac{M^2V^2}{m\cos^2\theta} +MV^2\big)##, and therefore ##V=\sqrt{\frac{2m^2gh\cos^2\theta}{(m+M)(M^2+Mm\cos^2\theta)}}##
which is a wrong result. Where am I wrong?

I ##\infty##-ly thank you for any help!
 
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Where do you get the (m+M) term?
 
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Relative to the ground, what direction will the block be moving?
 
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paisiello2 said:
Where do you get the term (m+M) term?
I assumed that was a typo.
 
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See thread https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/wedge-and-block-initial-momentum.806992/. It is the same problem as yours.
Decide what you denote by v. The block slides on the ramp which is moving horizontally with velocity -V. If the relative velocity of the block with respect to the ramp is u, the horizontal component is ucos(θ) and in the rest frame of reference it is ucos(θ)-V.
 
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Thank you all, friends! ehild's linked post answers the issue.
 
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