Consider two crates of different masses, A and B, at the top of two frictionless inclined planes. The mass of crate A is larger than the mass of crate B. Both crates slide down the inclines from the same height where they are at rest. Crate A slides on the plane that makes an angle of 30^o with the horizontal, whereas crate B slides on the plane making an angle of 45^o with the horizontal. Which crate has a larger speed at the bottom of its plane? A) Crate A B) Crate B C) Both crates have the same speed. D) More information is needed to work out the answer.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Both crates have the same speed at the bottom because the speed depends only on the height from which they slide down, not on the mass of the crates or the angle of the incline, due to the conservation of energy principle.

Consider Two Crates of Different Masses, a and B, at the Top