Two inclined frictionless tracks,one gradual and the other steep,meet at $A$ from where two stones are allowed to slide down from rest,one on each track. Will the stones reach the bottom at the same time? Will they reach there with the same speed? Explain. Given $\theta_{1}=30^{\circ}, \theta_{2}=60^{\circ},$ and $h=10 \; m,$ what are the speeds and times taken by the two stones?

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) No,the stone moving down the steep plane will reach the bottom first. Yes,the stones will reach the bottom with the same speed $v_{B} = v_{C} = 14 \; m/s$. The times taken are $t_{1} = 2.86 \; s$ and $t_{2} = 1.65 \; s$.
$1$. Speed:
Since the tracks are frictionless,the total mechanical energy is conserved. Both stones start from the same height $h$ with zero initial velocity. By the law of conservation of energy:
$mgh = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$
$v = \sqrt{2gh} = \sqrt{2 \times 9.8 \times 10} = \sqrt{196} = 14 \; m/s$.
Since both stones fall through the same vertical height $h$,they reach the bottom with the same speed $v = 14 \; m/s$.
$2$. Time:
The acceleration of a stone on an inclined plane is $a = g \sin \theta$.
For stone $I$ on track $AB$: $a_{1} = g \sin 30^{\circ} = 9.8 \times 0.5 = 4.9 \; m/s^2$.
The length of track $AB$ is $L_{1} = h / \sin 30^{\circ} = 10 / 0.5 = 20 \; m$.
Using $s = \frac{1}{2}at^2$,$t_{1} = \sqrt{2L_{1}/a_{1}} = \sqrt{2 \times 20 / 4.9} \approx 2.86 \; s$.
For stone $II$ on track $AC$: $a_{2} = g \sin 60^{\circ} = 9.8 \times 0.866 = 8.49 \; m/s^2$.
The length of track $AC$ is $L_{2} = h / \sin 60^{\circ} = 10 / 0.866 \approx 11.55 \; m$.
$t_{2} = \sqrt{2L_{2}/a_{2}} = \sqrt{2 \times 11.55 / 8.49} \approx 1.65 \; s$.
Since $a_{2} > a_{1}$,the stone on the steeper track reaches the bottom first.

Explore More

Similar Questions

$A$ block of mass $m$ is released on a smooth inclined plane of inclination $\theta$ with the horizontal. The force exerted by the plane on the block has a magnitude

$A$ block is kept on a fixed smooth wedge whose vertical section is a curve $y = \frac{x^2}{\sqrt{3}}$ as shown in the figure,where $x$ represents the horizontal direction and $y$ represents the vertical direction. When released from a point where $y = \frac{1}{4\sqrt{3}}$,what will be its acceleration? $(g = 10 \ m/s^2)$

Difficult
View Solution

Three blocks of masses $2m$,$4m$,and $6m$ are placed as shown in the figure. If $\sin 37^{\circ}=\frac{3}{5}$ and $\sin 53^{\circ}=\frac{4}{5}$,the acceleration of the system is:

It is easier to draw up a wooden block along an inclined plane than to haul it vertically,principally because

$A$ double inclined plane as shown in the figure has a fixed horizontal base and smooth faces with the same angle of inclination of $30^{\circ}$. $A$ block of mass $m_2 = 300 \ g$ is on one face and is connected by a cord passing over a frictionless pulley to a second block of mass $m_1 = 200 \ g$ kept on the other face. The acceleration with which the system of the blocks moves is ........ $\%$ of acceleration due to gravity $(g)$.

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo