# Strange problem.

1. Oct 5, 2006

### bluff

Can someone tell me how to do this problem? I Don't even know where to begin.

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2. Oct 5, 2006

3. Oct 6, 2006

### aaroman

Begin with F=m*a.
You should use that, and the fact that the resultant of that force and of m*g is along the normal to the surface in the equilibrium position.

Last edited: Oct 6, 2006
4. Oct 6, 2006

### andrevdh

Consider a simpler problem first: The ball on block with a constant incline. Assume the block is accelerated towards the +x direction and that the ball is not moving vertically on the block.

The ball will experience two forces: Its weight and a normal force coming from the incline $W,\ N$ . Assume the incline is at an angle $\theta$ w.r.t. the horizontal. What can you say that the acceleration will be given by in such a situation?

5. Oct 7, 2006

### andrevdh

Can you set up the force equations in the x- and y-directions using Newton's second law?

That is: "The sum of the force components on an object in the x (or y) direction is equal to its mass times its acceleration in the x (or y) direction"

6. Oct 10, 2006

### bluff

Thanks for the help guys. I still couldn't get it, though. I'll give it another crack soon for test preparation.