A small block slides from rest from the top of a smooth hemisphere of radius R=3 m. Find the height h (m) above the ground at which it loses contact with the hemisphere.

Question

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

For a block sliding from rest on a smooth sphere, loss of contact occurs when N=0, giving cosθ=2/3. Height above the ground is h=R cosθ=3×2/3=2 m.