A small block of mass m is lying at rest at point P of a wedge having a smooth semi-circular track of radius R. The minimum value of horizontal acceleration a₀ (in m/s²) of wedge so that mass can just reach the point Q, is

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G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

In the accelerating-wedge frame, add the horizontal pseudo-force ma₀. For the block to just reach Q on the smooth semicircular track, the effective potential difference between P and Q must be exactly supplied by the pseudo-force work. The limiting condition gives a₀=10 m/s².