Torque and Equillibrium problem.

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a uniform board leaning against a wall, with a focus on determining the minimum angle theta for equilibrium given a coefficient of friction. Participants are exploring the conditions for torque and forces acting on the board.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss calculating torque about different points, including the bottom of the board and the point of contact with the wall. There are attempts to set up equations for forces and torques, with some questioning the relevance of friction forces and the signs of the terms in their equations.

Discussion Status

There is an active exploration of the problem, with participants providing various equations and discussing their validity. Some have corrected their initial misunderstandings about friction, while others are refining their equations and seeking confirmation on their reasoning.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating assumptions about friction and the forces acting on the board, with some noting the complexity introduced by different points of contact and the need for clarity in their equations.

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A uniform board is leaning against a wall. The board has an angle theta with respect to tge horizontal. If the coefficient of friction between the ground and the board and the wall and the board is 0.650, what is the minimum value of theta such that the board can rest between the two surfaces?

I produced a diagram, and concluded that the net torque about the bottom of the board is 0. The torque forces I included were the torque from the centre of gravity, the torque from the wall, and the torque induced by friction on the wall. I went through and ended up with a trigonometric equation in two variables, theta and mass, that I could not cancel. I am not even going to bother to show my work because my logic must be wrong.

Any suggestions?
 
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Try a Sum of torques about the point the board meets the wall. :wink: and consider [itex]\sum F_{y} = N_{ground-ladder} - mg = 0[/itex]. Sorry this is not applicable i misread the problem.
 
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ERRRRRRRR
I totally misread the question; there is no friction with the wall. So I can solve it easily.

With regards to a problem where both the wall and the wall of friction:
That summation of vertical forces, it does not include the upwards force of friction (if the ladder is in motion) exterted on the ladder by the wall, or is that completely irrelevent?
 
Ok Let's see what you got

[tex]\sum F_{x} = N_{wall} - F_{friction/ground} = 0[/tex]

[tex]\sum F_{y} = N_{ground} + F_{friction/Wall} - mg = 0[/tex]

[tex]\sum \tau_{ground} = N_{wall} \sin \theta + F_{friction/Wall} \cos \theta - mg \frac{1}{2} \cos \theta = 0[/tex]

Right?
 
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Now consider the following relationship

[tex]\sum \tau_{ground} = N_{wall} \sin \theta + \mu N_{wall} \cos \theta - mg \frac{1}{2} \cos \theta = 0[/tex]

[tex]N_{wall} = \mu N_{ground}[/tex]

[tex]N_{wall} = \mu (mg - F_{friction/Wall})[/tex]

[tex]N_{wall} = \mu (mg - \mu N_{wall})[/tex]

[tex]N_{wall} = \frac{\mu mg}{1 + \mu^2}[/tex]
 
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in the second equation, I think normal from ground and friction from wall should be of the same sign, and with the third one, I think normal torque from wall and torque from friction should also be of the same sign.
 
Ok i think is all fixed now. Any more quibbles? :approve:
 

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