If a solid semicylindrical block (a block-letter D) is placed on its curved side on a horizontal table, the top (the flat side) will be parallel to the table.

The table is tilted by an angle, a, perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder. What angle will the top of the block form with the table now?

Assume angle a is small enough to prevent the block from slipping or tipping over.

(In reply to Solution by Bractals)

This then has the consequence that the table cannot be tilted more than arcsin(h) = 25.11352537354427 deg.

Posted by Charlie on 2006-01-17 10:35:03