Question
Please answer asap.
A block of mass 3.3 kg is initially at rest on a wedge of mass 17 kg, height 0.30 m, and an incline angle theta = 35degree as shown in the figure below. There is no friction between the wedge and the floor. Starting at the top of the incline, the block is released and slides toward the bottom of the wedge. At the same time, the wedge "recoils" and slides some distance L to the right. Find L when the block has reached the bottom of the wedge. Hint: The center of mass of a right triangle of height h is a distance h/3 above the base of the triangle. (For simplicity, you may treat the block as a point mass.)
Explanation / Answer
x1 =L+0.3cot35 =L+0.43
By conservation momentum
m1X1 =m2x2
3.3*(L+0.43) =17L
L=0.1032 m
L= 10.32 cm