Conceptual center of mass question - No calculations

[crafty2288]

Homework Statement

In using a ladder where the wall is smooth but the floor has a coefficient Us, why is it necessary to make the angle large?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm a little confused by this, because I would think that you would want to make the angle smaller and have the center of mass be lower. What is the benefit of the ladder being more vertical?

 

[rock.freak667]

Is the question specifically asking why to make the angle larger? Because normally, your reasoning would be correct.

 

[crafty2288]

Here is the exact problem as my professor wrote it. i didn't post it before, because frankly... His handwriting is impossible to decipher. I am just confused because the mass of the person makes the center of mass EVEN higher. I see no reason why increasing the angle is beneficial.

 

[rock.freak667]

Well it seems that if you sum the moments about the point where it touches the bottom, the moments will depend on cosθ. But this is assuming the the center of mass of the person is directly on the ladder.


EDIT: I forgot about the other normal force. To be honest, I really don't see how increasing that angle will make it more stable.

 

[Jolsa]

Try looking at the torque produced by the mg-force and the normal force from the wall with respect to the point of contact on the ground. What happens if the angle increases/decreases?

The R.D. Werner Ladder Co. recommends that its ladders be used at an angle of 75 degrees.