A block of mass m rests on a smooth incline of angle θ on a wedge. The wedge accelerates horizontally rightward with acceleration a. What relation makes the block remain at rest relative to the wedge?

Question

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

In the accelerating wedge frame, the block experiences pseudo-force ma horizontally left, while gravity mg acts downward. The component of gravity down the incline is mg sinθ and pseudo-force component up the incline is ma cosθ. For no relative sliding, mg sinθ=ma cosθ, giving a=g tanθ. Answer: D.