A block of mass m is placed on a smooth wedge of inclination . 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)
- mg
- mg
- mg
- mg/
Answer
(4) mg/
Solution
Forces on the block: weight mg (vertically down) and normal reaction N (perpendicular to the smooth incline).
The block moves with the wedge with a horizontal acceleration a, so it has no vertical acceleration.
Vertical balance: N = mg
N = mg
(Horizontally, N = ma gives a = g .)
Answer: (4)