Question
Physics Question on laws of motion
A block of mass m is placed on a smooth wedge of inclination θ. The whole system is accelerated horizontally so that the block does not slip on the wedge. The force exerted by the wedge on the block will be (g is acceleration due to gravity)
A
mgcosθ;
B
mgsinθ;
C
mg
D
cosθmg
Answer
cosθmg
Explanation
Solution
The wedge is given an acceleration to the left.
∴ The block has a pseudo acceleration to the right, pressing against the wedge because of which the block is not moving.
∴mgsinθ=macosθ or a=cosθgsinθ
Total reaction of the wedge on the block is
N=mgcosθ+masinθ.
or N=mgcosθ+cosθmgsinθ⋅sinθ.
N=cosθmg(cos2θ+sin2θ)=cosθmg