Min. angle at which ladder will not slip

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Homework Statement


A uniform ladder of mass, m, and length, l, leans at an angle, [tex]\theta[/tex], against a frictionless wall. If the coefficient of static friction between the ladder and the ground is [tex]\mu_{s}[/tex], what is the minimum angle at which the ladder will not slip?



Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I've attached my FBD.

SFx = mg - N = 0
SFy = [tex]\mu[/tex]mg - Fw = 0
St = FwL - mg(L/2) = 0

mg = N
[tex]\mu[/tex]mg = Fw
FwL = mg(L/2)
L/2 = [tex]\mu[/tex]

Where do I go from here?
 
Attachments
  • Free-body diagram of a leaning ladder against a vertical wall: normal force N and friction fr at the base, weight mg at the midpoint labeled L, and wall force Fw at the top.
    12b.jpg
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Your FBD is good, and your sum of forces = 0 equations are good, but your sum of torques equation is incorrect. L, for example, is not the lever arm for the wall force moment about the base. You need to calculate that arm as a function of L and theta. L is the length of the ladder as measured along the incline.