- #1
code.master
- 10
- 0
The problem is as follows.
We know the angle of the wedge to the horizontal. Let's say its a given.
We don't know the mass of the wedge or the mass of the block.
The planes are frictionless. The mass rests on a "frictionless table".
There is a force pushing the entire system. The acceleration of the wedge is equal to 5 m/s^2 towards its point along the table.
What is the relative acceleration of the block down the slope?
I already turned this problem in. I was able to get an answer that was like [itex]g\sin{\theta}-5\cos{\theta}[/itex] but I was unable to show my complete derivation. I began by seperating the forces, and showing that the forces created acceleration on the block relative to the ground, then took the position that relative to the wedge, the accelerations must have satisfied the wedges triangle. so i got something like [itex]\tan\theta = F_y/F_x [/itex]
From there its a wash for me. Could someone sort out this a bit for me? I drew my force diagrams, I did the calculations I was supposed to, I just kept getting something a little off. Maybe Ill see it in someones more elegant solution...
We know the angle of the wedge to the horizontal. Let's say its a given.
We don't know the mass of the wedge or the mass of the block.
The planes are frictionless. The mass rests on a "frictionless table".
There is a force pushing the entire system. The acceleration of the wedge is equal to 5 m/s^2 towards its point along the table.
What is the relative acceleration of the block down the slope?
I already turned this problem in. I was able to get an answer that was like [itex]g\sin{\theta}-5\cos{\theta}[/itex] but I was unable to show my complete derivation. I began by seperating the forces, and showing that the forces created acceleration on the block relative to the ground, then took the position that relative to the wedge, the accelerations must have satisfied the wedges triangle. so i got something like [itex]\tan\theta = F_y/F_x [/itex]
From there its a wash for me. Could someone sort out this a bit for me? I drew my force diagrams, I did the calculations I was supposed to, I just kept getting something a little off. Maybe Ill see it in someones more elegant solution...