All blocks in the wedge system shown have equal mass m and all surfaces are smooth. The magnitude of acceleration of block B with respect to ground is:

Question

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Solving Newton's equations with contact constraints gives aᵦ=4g sinθ/(1+3sin²θ) relative to the wedge and wedge acceleration 2g sinθ cosθ/(1+3sin²θ). Combining components gives |aᵦ,ground|=2g sinθ/√(1+3sin²θ).