23 Jan '19 01:45>2 edits
I have a question about the typical block sliding down an incline without friction, but for which the incline has a mass and is also free to slide on a horizontal surface.
I get the feeling that the typical frame of reference attached to the incline is not inertial. It is accelerating. Does that effect the time it would take for the small block to traverse the length of the incline as referenced from that frame or am I under thinking this?
I ask because I solved a problem that had this set up, and it asked how far has the incline moved relative to some fixed frame on the ground. I answered the question correctly (according to the designer of the question ) without considering it ( treating the frame moving with the incline as inertial ). However, I have a nagging feeling that the time taken to traverse the length of the incline as seen from the frame moving with the incline will be effected.
I get the feeling that the typical frame of reference attached to the incline is not inertial. It is accelerating. Does that effect the time it would take for the small block to traverse the length of the incline as referenced from that frame or am I under thinking this?
I ask because I solved a problem that had this set up, and it asked how far has the incline moved relative to some fixed frame on the ground. I answered the question correctly (according to the designer of the question ) without considering it ( treating the frame moving with the incline as inertial ). However, I have a nagging feeling that the time taken to traverse the length of the incline as seen from the frame moving with the incline will be effected.