A small block starts from rest and slides down from the top of a fixed sphere of radius R, where R >> size of the block. The surface of the sphere is frictionless and constant gravitational acceleration g acts downward.

(a) Determine the speed of the block as a function of angle from the top while it remains in contact with the sphere. 

(b) At what angle does the block lose contact with the sphere?n 

Transcribed Image Text:

R R