Solving Static Equilibrium: 15.5 m Ladder & 500 N Weight

AI Thread Summary
To solve the problem of a 15.5 m ladder leaning against a frictionless wall, the horizontal and vertical forces exerted by the ground must be calculated when a firefighter weighing 810 N is positioned 4.10 m from the base. The sum of forces in both the x and y directions must equal zero to maintain translational equilibrium. Additionally, the condition for rotational equilibrium involves ensuring that the moments about any point, such as the base of the ladder, also sum to zero. When the firefighter moves to 9.20 m up the ladder, the coefficient of static friction between the ladder and the ground can be determined by analyzing the forces at the point of impending slip. Understanding these principles is crucial for solving static equilibrium problems involving ladders and external weights.
xdevinx
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Homework Statement



A 15.5 m uniform ladder weighing 500 N rests against a frictionless wall. The ladder makes a 56.0° angle with the horizontal.

(a) Find the horizontal and vertical forces the ground exerts on the base of the ladder when an 810 N firefighter is 4.10 m from the bottom.

Magnitude of the horizontal forceMagnitude of the vertical force(b) If the ladder is just on the verge of slipping when the firefighter is 9.20 m up, what is the coefficient of static friction between ladder and ground?

Homework Equations



I have no idea how to do this /:
All I know is that the sum of the forces in the x and y direction has to equal 0.
Other than that...

The Attempt at a Solution

 
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xdevinx said:
All I know is that the sum of the forces in the x and y direction has to equal 0.
Good--that describes translational equilibrium. What's the condition for rotational equilibrium?
 

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