Rotational Motion Force Question

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving a physics problem involving a uniform ladder resting against a frictionless wall and a firefighter on it. Key points include determining the horizontal and vertical forces exerted by the ground on the ladder's base and calculating the coefficient of static friction when the ladder is on the verge of slipping. Participants emphasize the importance of drawing a free body diagram to visualize the forces acting on the ladder. There is a suggestion that the confusion may stem from misinterpreting the problem's relation to rotational motion. The conversation highlights the necessity of understanding force components to solve the problem effectively.
mits08
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
hello all, I'm studying from my midterm and having some trouble figuring out the question below..thanks for the help

A uniform ladder of length L and mass m1 rests against a frictionless wall. the ladder makes an angle "theta" with the horizontal.

a) find horizontal and vertical forces the ground exerts on the base of the ladder when a firefighter of mass m2 is a distance x from the bottom.

b) if the ladder is just on the verge of slipping when the firefighter is a distance d from the bottom, what is the coefficient of static friction between ladder and ground?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
where are you stuck at? You should draw a free body diagram first.
 
Perhaps your problem is thinking that this has anything to do with rotational motion! As Oerg suggested, draw a "free body diagram" and then calculate the horizontal and vertical components of force at the top and bottom of the ladder.
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Normal force at the base of a ladder
Replies
20
Views
2K
Static equilibrium -- interpretation of forces
Replies
10
Views
3K
Book plots position & force on the same graph, still gets right answer
Replies
8
Views
818
Force of the Ladder on a Wall Torque
Replies
5
Views
3K
Angle of Inclination Homework: Find θ at Ladder's Verge of Slipping
Replies
9
Views
2K
Direction of force exerted by ground for the ladder problem
Replies
2
Views
3K
A ladder against a wall problem
Replies
5
Views
2K
Direction of the normal force when acting on a tilted object
Replies
9
Views
3K
A weightless ladder....but why move the pivot point?
Replies
13
Views
3K
Ladder on a wall held in place by a peg
Replies
3
Views
4K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top