- #1
bd2015
- 8
- 0
Homework Statement
A small block with mass m is sitting on a large block of mass M that is sloped so that the small block can slide down the larger block. There is no friction and no drag force. The center of mass of the smal block is located a height H above where it would be if it were sitting on the table and both blocks are started at rest.
Determine the initial velocity one should give the two blocks so that they would move together and precisely come to rest with the small block a height H above the ground.
Homework Equations
I have solved that
Vm = [itex]\sqrt{(2gh)/(1+m/M)}[/itex]
VM = -[itex]m/M[/itex][itex]\sqrt{(2gh)/(1+m/M)}[/itex]
Background questions that I'm wondering about:
1. Why is the total momentum of the system 0?
2. Why is momentum only conserved in the X direction?