As shown in the figure, a small body of mass m is placed over a larger mass M whose surface is horizontal near the small body and gradually curves to become vertical. The small body is pushed on the larger mass at a speed v and the system is subsequently left to itself. Assume all surfaces are frictionless. Determine the speed of the larger block when the small body is sliding on the vertical part.

Step-by-step solution

Since all surfaces are frictionless, there is no external horizontal force acting on the system comprising the small body of mass m and the larger mass M . Therefore, the horizontal momentum of the system is conserved. Let the initial velocity of the small mass be v . The initial horizontal momentum of the system is: P_i = mv When the small body reaches the vertical part of the larger mass, it can only move vertically relative to the larger mass. This means its horizontal velocity must be equal to the horizontal ve