Question

A smooth wedge A is fitted in a chamber hanging from a fixed ceiling near the earth's surface. A block B placed at the top of the wedge takes a time $t$ to slide down the length of the wedge. If the block is placed at the top of the wedge and the cable supporting the chamber is broken at the same instant then the block will:

• A. take a time longer than $t$ to slide down the wedge
• B. take a time shorter than $t$ to slide down the wedge
• C. remain at the top of the wedge
• D. will not separate from the wedge

Answer 1

The correct option is C remain at the top of the wedge

Let us work from the frame of reference of the chamber,which will be a non inertial frame having acceleration g.

Since a pseudo force equal to mg and weight mg acts in opposite direction,the net force on the block becomes zero,and this becomes a case of free fall.So,block $B$ does not moves.