Two crates A A\,A and BBB, of mass 5 kg and 4 kg respectively, are connected by a light inextensible rope that passes over a smooth pulley at the top of a symmetrical wedge. The wedge is fixed to the floor, with both faces inclined at an angle of 45∘ 45^\circ\,45∘ to the horizontal. Crate A A\,A is on a smooth face, while crate B B\,B is on a rough face where the coefficient of friction is 0.2. The rope remains taut throughout the motion.
Find the tension in the rope.
Find the acceleration of the system and the direction of travel.
130 exam-style questions on Edexcel A Level Maths Applications of Forces, covering 7.1 Static Particles, 7.2 Modelling with Statics, 7.3 Friction and Static Particles, 7.4 Static Rigid Bodies, 7.5 Dynamics and Inclined Planes, and 7.6 Connected Particles 2. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.