Homework Help Overview
The problem involves a plank of length 2L leaning against a wall, which begins to slip downward without friction. The objective is to determine the fraction of the initial height at which the top of the plank loses contact with the wall.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning
Approaches and Questions Raised
- Participants discuss the forces acting on the plank and the conditions under which it loses contact with the wall. There are attempts to express the coordinates of the center of mass in terms of the angle θ, and some participants suggest using energy conservation principles instead of force and torque equations.
Discussion Status
The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different approaches, including energy methods and differential equations. Some guidance has been provided regarding the relationships between the variables involved, but no consensus has been reached on a single method or solution.
Contextual Notes
There is some confusion regarding the coordinate system and the definitions of x and y. Participants are also considering the initial angle of the plank and how it affects the equations being used.