Need help on a forces and equilibrium question

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    Equilibrium Forces
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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a forces and equilibrium question, specifically focusing on the nature of support forces in a mechanical context. Participants are exploring why the support force is not acting vertically upwards and are questioning the assumptions regarding its direction relative to the ground or slope.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to understand the direction of the support force and its relationship to the ground. They are questioning whether the support force should always be perpendicular to the surface and discussing the implications of friction and obstructions on this force.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights into the potential reasons for the support force's direction. There is an exploration of different interpretations regarding friction and obstructions, but no explicit consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the lower end of the girder may not be free to slide, which introduces factors such as surface friction or physical obstructions that could influence the support force's direction.

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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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