A particle of mass m slides without friction on a wedge of angle α and mass M that can move without friction on a smooth horizontal surface. Treating the constraint of the particle on the wedge by the method of Lagrange multipliers, find the equations of motion for the particle and wedge. Also obtain an expression for the forces of constraint. Calculate the work done in time t by the forces of constraint acting on the particle and on the wedge. What are the constants of motion for the system? Contrast the results you have found with the situation when wedge is fixed.

A particle of mass m slides without friction on a wedge of angle α and mass M that can move without friction on a smooth horizontal surface. Treating the constraint of the particle on the wedge by the method of Lagrange multipliers, find the equations of motion for the particle and wedge. Also obtain an expression for the forces of constraint. Calculate the work done in time t by the forces of constraint acting on the particle and on the wedge. What are the constants of motion for the system? Contrast the results you have found with the situation when wedge is fixed.