Two equal-mass blocks are released simultaneously from the apex of a fixed frictionless wedge. Determine magnitude of acceleration of their centre of mass (m s⁻², g = 10 m s⁻²). [See Image.]
Physics · Mixed Chapter
JEE Main Practice

Question

Two equal-mass blocks are released simultaneously from the apex of a fixed frictionless wedge. Determine magnitude of acceleration of their centre of mass (m s⁻², g = 10 m s⁻²). [See Image.]

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Each block on its fixed frictionless incline has acceleration g sinθ along the incline. Step 2 — Resolve accelerations of both equal-mass blocks into horizontal/vertical Cartesian components. Step 3 — The centre-of-mass acceleration is a⃗₍CM₎ = (a⃗₁ + a⃗₂)/2. Step 4 — Using wedge angles provided in the figure, |a⃗₍CM₎| = 5 m s⁻². [Verify the two wedge angles in Image.]