Re: Block sliding on curvilinear surface

[Brian Whatcott <betwys1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>]

At 05:19 PM 7/2/2004,  John M., you wrote:
> >A block with mass m, originally at rest slides downward on a
> >curvilinear surface given by y = (9x)^1/2 and r = 9cot(angle)
> >cos(angle). This is a parabola on its side. Does the block leaves
> >the surface before reaching the ground (y = 0)?
>
> Unless I am misinterpreting something, it seems to me that the answer
> has to be an unequivocal "yes" since the surface is vertical at the
> point that it touches the ground.

Perhaps the puzzle would be more interesting for John, if it
were couched like this:
"What is the minimal length of frictionless block which allows
 the block to stay in contact with the parabolic surface when it
contacts the base plane?"

> >What is the minimum value for n in such way that the block will
> >leave the surface? (y = (nx)^1/2)
>
> My guess is that the block leaves the surface for any positive value of n.
> ///
> John Mallinckrodt        mailto:ajm@csupomona.edu
> Cal Poly Pomona          http://www.csupomona.edu/~ajm


Brian Whatcott    Altus OK    Eureka!