Question

A block of mass placed on a wedge of inclination $\theta$. The whole system is accelerated horizontally so that the block does not slip on the wedge. The force exerted by the wedge on the block has a magnitude:

• A. mg
• B. $\frac{mg}{cos\theta }$
• C. $mgcos\theta$
• D. $mgtan\theta$

Answer 1

The correct option is D $mgtan\theta$

Diagram given below, representing the given situation.

As system is accelerating a pseudo force will act on the body as shown

On balancing the forces,

$ma\cos \theta =mg\sin \theta$

$a=g\tan \theta$