Friction and inclines problem. i

[Terrell]

[moderator note: moved from technical forums, no template]

this is fun but i am stuck. help! :) the first image states the problem and the second image is my futile attempt at a solution

 

[PeroK]

You need a better free body diagram, showing the forces at the top and bottom of the ladder.

 

[wrobel]

Theorem. If a rigid body is in rest then the sum of torques about any point is equal zero and the sum of forces is also equal zero.
It is convenient to calculate torques about one of two contact points of the ladder and the wall/floor.

 

[Terrell]

You need a better free body diagram, showing the forces at the top and bottom of the ladder.

but that is all that is given. i found this here for practice problems http://www.real-world-physics-problems.com/friction-problems.html#hint_for_problem_4

 

[Terrell]

Theorem. If a rigid body is in rest then the sum of torques about any point is equal zero and the sum of forces is also equal zero.
It is convenient to calculate torques about one of two contact points of the ladder and the wall/floor.

can i solve this without torques? i haven't got into torques just yet

 

[haruspex]

can i solve this without torques? i haven't got into torques just yet

No. You have three unknowns, the two normal forces and the angle. So you need three equations. Only two are available from linear force balances in two dimensions, so your third must be from torque balance.