Finding reaction components and resultant reaction

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a ladder leaning against a wall, where the original poster seeks to determine the reaction components and resultant reaction, given specific parameters such as the ladder's weight and distances involved. The subject area includes concepts of static equilibrium and vector components.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants inquire about the understanding of vector components and static equilibrium, suggesting the need for foundational knowledge. There are discussions about the relevance of textbooks and the clarity of terms used in the problem.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants providing guidance on the importance of free body diagrams and the role of friction in the scenario. There is an exploration of what keeps the ladder stable and the factors influencing the frictional forces at play.

Contextual Notes

Participants note a lack of clarity regarding the definitions of reaction components and resultant reaction, as well as the limitations of the available textbook resources. There is an acknowledgment of the original poster's existing free body diagram but uncertainty about how to proceed with the problem.

leonheart
Messages
6
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A 12 m long uniform ladder, weighing 285 N, leans against the wall. The foot of the ladder is 6.5 m away from the wall. Determine the reaction components and the resultant reaction(magnitude & direction) if the coefficient of friction for static at the wall and the floor are 0.40 and 0.52 respectively.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


our prof. didn't tell us what is reaction components and resultant reaction so I can't start answering...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Did your professor tell you how to find the components of a vector?

Did your professor tell you what constitutes static equilibrium?

Do you have a textbook where some of these terms might be discussed?
 
SteamKing said:
Did your professor tell you how to find the components of a vector?

Did your professor tell you what constitutes static equilibrium?

Do you have a textbook where some of these terms might be discussed?
yes...she taught us the components of a vector...regarding about the book...we only have a book about torque and there's no reaction components and the resultant reaction...
 
leonheart said:
yes...she taught us the components of a vector...regarding about the book...we only have a book about torque and there's no reaction components and the resultant reaction...
It's not clear what a book about torque is. Torque does not require a book-length treatment; it can be discussed fully in at most a chapter of a book.

Nevertheless, what about static equilibrium? What do you know about that? Have you ever made a free body diagram?
 
SteamKing said:
It's not clear what a book about torque is. Torque does not require a book-length treatment; it can be discussed fully in at most a chapter of a book.

Nevertheless, what about static equilibrium? What do you know about that? Have you ever made a free body diagram?
yes...I have a free body diagram...but I can't solve it because I don't know what to solve...
 
leonheart said:
yes...I have a free body diagram...but I can't solve it because I don't know what to solve...
Well, you have a ladder leaning against a wall.

What keeps the ladder in your free body from tipping over? You are also told that there is friction due to the contact of the ladder with the wall. What determines how much friction is developed by the wall?

A similar situation applies to the floor. What keeps the ladder from falling thru the floor? What about friction between the ladder and the floor?
 
FBD
 

Attachments

  • physics.png
    physics.png
    1.4 KB · Views: 644
there's a number below the arrow...its...285N
 
the question above is all I have...
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
6K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
8K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Replies
5
Views
3K