Question

A 2.0 kg mass rests on a frictionless wedge that has an acceleration of 15 m/s2 to the right. The mass remains stationary relative to the wedge, moving neither higher nor lower. (a) What is the angle of inclination, θ, of the wedge, i.e., the angle between the inclined surface and the horizontal? (b) What is the magnitude of the normal force exerted on the mass by the incline? (c) What would happen if the wedge were given a greater acceleration?

Answer 1

draw the figure. there are two forces operating on the mass, mg downward, and a pushing force horizontal. Resolve both of those into components up /down the wedge surface.

mg resolves down the wedge as mgSinTheta downward

the pushing force has an equal and opposite force (inertia) from the mass of ma, which has an upward componsnt of ma CosTheta

so if it is not moving up or down, then these are equal.
ma CosTheta=mgSinTheta solve for theta.

Normal force:
mg normal force is mg CosTheta
ma normal force is maSinTheta

total normal force is the sum.

Answer 2

that didn't help at all... sorry

Answer 3

Thank You! it took me a while but that was all right and it worked. Thank You bobpursley sooo much!