Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
- Exam
- Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
- Subject
- Physics
- Chapter
- Friction
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1] · Physics · Friction
As shown in the figure, two blocks are in contact sliding down an...
As shown in the figure, two blocks are in contact sliding down an inclined surface of inclination 30^{}^{{}^{\circ}}. The friction coefficient between the block of mass and the incline is , and that between the block of mass and the incline is . Determine the acceleration of the block. Take .


Options
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct answer
C.
Step-by-step solution
Let us first calculate the acceleration of each block as if they were sliding independently.
For the block (upper block):
a_1 = g(\sin 30^{}^{{}^{\circ}} - \mu_1 \cos 30^{}^{{}^{\circ}})
For the block (lower block):
a_2 = g(\sin 30^{}^{{}^{\circ}} - \mu_2 \cos 30^{}^{{}^{\circ}})
Since , the upper block will tend to slide faster than the lower block. Because it is behind the block, it will push against it, and both blocks will move together with a common acceleration .
Considering both blocks as a single system of mass :
The equation of motion along the incline is:
(m_1 + m_2)a = (m_1 + m_2)g \sin 30^{}^{{}^{\circ}} - f_1 - f_2
where and are the kinetic friction forces on the two blocks.
f_1 = \mu_1 m_1 g \cos 30^{}^{{}^{\circ}} = 0.20 \times 2.0 \times 10 \times \dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2} = 2\sqrt{3} \text{ N}
f_2 = \mu_2 m_2 g \cos 30^{}^{{}^{\circ}} = 0.30 \times 4.0 \times 10 \times \dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2} = 6\sqrt{3} \text{ N}
Substituting these into the equation of motion:
Using :
Rounding to one decimal place, we get .
For the block (upper block):
a_1 = g(\sin 30^{}^{{}^{\circ}} - \mu_1 \cos 30^{}^{{}^{\circ}})
For the block (lower block):
a_2 = g(\sin 30^{}^{{}^{\circ}} - \mu_2 \cos 30^{}^{{}^{\circ}})
Since , the upper block will tend to slide faster than the lower block. Because it is behind the block, it will push against it, and both blocks will move together with a common acceleration .
Considering both blocks as a single system of mass :
The equation of motion along the incline is:
(m_1 + m_2)a = (m_1 + m_2)g \sin 30^{}^{{}^{\circ}} - f_1 - f_2
where and are the kinetic friction forces on the two blocks.
f_1 = \mu_1 m_1 g \cos 30^{}^{{}^{\circ}} = 0.20 \times 2.0 \times 10 \times \dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2} = 2\sqrt{3} \text{ N}
f_2 = \mu_2 m_2 g \cos 30^{}^{{}^{\circ}} = 0.30 \times 4.0 \times 10 \times \dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2} = 6\sqrt{3} \text{ N}
Substituting these into the equation of motion:
Using :
Rounding to one decimal place, we get .