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Quantum1990
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Homework Statement
A ladder of length l and mass m leans against the side of a house, making an angle θ with the vertical. Assume that the ladder is free to slide at the point where it touches the side of the house (there is no significant friction). Find an expression for the normal force that the side of the house exerts on that end of the ladder in terms of m,g,l,θ
Homework Equations
Ʃτ = Iα
ƩF = ma
The Attempt at a Solution
First, I thought the problem was static(it is in a statics chapter), but with no friction force, I don't think the ladder can be static. Calling the desired normal force N1, and the normal force at the ground N2, I set up the following equations:
max = N1
may = mg-N2
ax = -tanθ ay
I arrived at the third equation using the constraint of a fixed length of the ladder. My problem is using torque( which I think I need). If I sum the torques about the CM, how do I relate angular acceleration(and what angle would I even be measuring) to ax and ay? I believe with this step, I can complete the problem.