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Speed of Block Before Leaving Second Inclined Plane

Comprehension Passage

Paragraph for Question Nos. 44 to 46

A small block of mass M\text{M} moves on a frictionless surface of an inclined plane, as shown in figure.

Passage Diagram 0

The angle of the incline suddenly changes from 60∘60^\circ to 30∘30^\circ at point B\text{B}. The block is initially at rest at A\text{A}. Assume that collisions between the block and the incline are totally inelastic (g=10 m/s2g = 10\text{ m/s}^2).

The speed of the block at point C\text{C}, immediately before it leaves the second incline is

Options

A

120 m/s\sqrt{120}\text{ m/s}

B

105 m/s\sqrt{105}\text{ m/s}

Correct
C

90 m/s\sqrt{90}\text{ m/s}

D

75 m/s\sqrt{75}\text{ m/s}

Step-by-Step Solution

To find the speed of the block at point C\text{C}, we analyze the motion of the block in three stages:

1. Motion along the first incline from A\text{A} to B\text{B}:
The first incline is at an angle of θ1=60∘\theta_1 = 60^\circ to the horizontal.
The horizontal distance between points A\text{A} and B\text{B} is given as x1=3 mx_1 = \sqrt{3}\text{ m}.
The vertical height fallen by the block from A\text{A} to B\text{B} is:
h1=x1tan⁡60∘=3×3=3 mh_1 = x_1 \tan 60^\circ = \sqrt{3} \times \sqrt{3} = 3\text{ m}

Since the block is released from rest at A\text{A} on a frictionless surface, its speed v1v_1 just before reaching B\text{B} is obtained using the work-energy theorem:
v1=2gh1=2×10×3=60 m/sv_1 = \sqrt{2gh_1} = \sqrt{2 \times 10 \times 3} = \sqrt{60}\text{ m/s}

The velocity vector v⃗1\vec{v}_1 is directed along the first incline at an angle of 60∘60^\circ below the horizontal.


2. Inelastic collision at point B\text{B}:
The second incline is inclined at an angle of θ2=30∘\theta_2 = 30^\circ to the horizontal.
The angle between the two inclines is:
Δθ=60∘−30∘=30∘\Delta\theta = 60^\circ - 30^\circ = 30^\circ

During the totally inelastic collision at point B\text{B}:

  • The normal component of velocity relative to the second incline becomes zero.
  • Since the incline is frictionless, there is no impulsive force parallel to the second incline, so the component of velocity along the second incline is conserved.

Thus, the speed of the block vBv_B immediately after striking the second incline is:
vB=v1cos⁡(Δθ)=60cos⁡30∘=60×32=60×34=45 m/sv_B = v_1 \cos(\Delta\theta) = \sqrt{60} \cos 30^\circ = \sqrt{60} \times \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} = \sqrt{60 \times \frac{3}{4}} = \sqrt{45}\text{ m/s}


3. Motion along the second incline from B\text{B} to C\text{C}:
The horizontal distance between points B\text{B} and C\text{C} is x2=33 mx_2 = 3\sqrt{3}\text{ m}.
The vertical height fallen by the block from B\text{B} to C\text{C} is:
h2=x2tan⁡30∘=33×13=3 mh_2 = x_2 \tan 30^\circ = 3\sqrt{3} \times \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} = 3\text{ m}

Since the surface from B\text{B} to C\text{C} is frictionless, mechanical energy is conserved:
12MvC2=12MvB2+Mgh2\frac{1}{2} M v_C^2 = \frac{1}{2} M v_B^2 + M g h_2

Dividing both sides by 12M\frac{1}{2} M:
vC2=vB2+2gh2v_C^2 = v_B^2 + 2gh_2
vC2=45+2×10×3=45+60=105 m2/s2v_C^2 = 45 + 2 \times 10 \times 3 = 45 + 60 = 105\text{ m}^2/\text{s}^2
vC=105 m/sv_C = \sqrt{105}\text{ m/s}

Therefore, the correct option is B.