Need help on a forces and equilibrium question

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The discussion centers on the concept of support forces in equilibrium scenarios, specifically addressing why the support force does not always act vertically upwards. Participants clarify that the support force can deviate from the vertical due to factors such as surface friction or obstructions preventing movement. The lower end of the girder in question is not free to slide, which influences the direction of the support force. This understanding is crucial for accurately analyzing forces in static equilibrium problems.

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Its part B that I'm not sure about.

I know how to do it. But I'm confused about why the support force is not acting vertically upwards (so no horizontal component).

I assumed that the support force would always be directly perpendicular to the ground/slope/wall.

Can someone explain this?
 
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question dude said:
[ img]http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=197381[/PLAIN]

Its part B that I'm not sure about.

I know how to do it. But I'm confused about why the support force is not acting vertically upwards (so no horizontal component).

I assumed that the support force would always be directly perpendicular to the ground/slope/wall.

Can someone explain this?
Apparently the lower end of the girder is not free to slide along the ground. Maybe it's digging into the ground or perhaps, it's prevented from sliding to the left by some obstruction.
 
SammyS said:
Apparently the lower end of the girder is not free to slide along the ground. Maybe it's digging into the ground or perhaps, it's prevented from sliding to the left by some obstruction.

does this count as surface friction of the ground, or is it totally different?
 
It could be friction, it could be some obstruction against which the beam is resting, whatever.
 
SteamKing said:
It could be friction, it could be some obstruction against which the beam is resting, whatever.

oh I see then, so the only reason why the support force in this question isn't acting perpendicular is because the ground isn't totally smooth, right?
 
For the purpose of this problem, yes.
 

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