The system, shown in the diagram, consists of a wedge placed on a horizontal surface and a block connected to a string that passes over a massless pulley attached to the wedge. The other end of the string is attached to the wall so that the string is horizontal between the wall and the pulley, and parallel to the inclined surface between the pulley and the block. The wedge and the block have equal masses; angle θ is given. When the system is released from the state of rest, the block begins to slide along the inclined surface of the wedge. Neglecting all friction, find the acceleration of the wedge.
Over the past 11 years, thanks to you, this column has been consistently growing in popularity. We have been receiving solutions from all over the world, from every continent (save Antarctica but we hope they'll step up one day), from...