What Vertical Forces Act on a Leaning Ladder at the Point of Slipping?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the forces acting on a ladder leaning against a wall at the point of slipping. It clarifies that the vertical force at the contact point between the ladder and the floor does not equal the weight of the ladder due to additional forces at play. These include horizontal frictional forces, vertical reaction forces from the floor, and interactions between the ladder and the wall. The importance of creating a free-body diagram is emphasized for understanding these forces. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexity of forces involved in this scenario.
blade_chong
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Consider a ladder leaning at a certain angle to the horizontal leaning against a wall on the point of slipping. Does the vertical component of force at the point of contact between the ladder and the floor equals to the weight of the ladder? If the answer is no, are there any other force(s) involved? I am confused about this.
 
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No. There are other forces involved. There's a horizontal frictional force between the ladder and the floor (as you say), the weight of the ladder, a vertical reaction force between the floor and the ladder, a reaction between the wall and the ladder, and a frictional force between the ladder and the wall.

Do your free-body diagram and make sure you've got all these taken care of, then continue as normal.

Questions like this should be posted in the relevant homework forum.
 
blade_chong said:
Consider a ladder leaning at a certain angle to the horizontal leaning against a wall on the point of slipping. Does the vertical component of force at the point of contact between the ladder and the floor equals to the weight of the ladder? If the answer is no, are there any other force(s) involved? I am confused about this.

Hi blade_chong! :smile:

Hint: what other force is there?

Under what conditions will it be purely horizontal? :smile:
 
elo to all...if the ladder is leaning on the wall still, i am able to to answer my question.However pls read my question carefully. Notice the words "point of slipping". will it affect the forces between the wall and ladder ?
 
At the "point of slipping", the ladder is still leaning against the wall. What vertical forces act on the ladder? (In this problem, the ladder is usually leaning against a frictionless wall. Is that the case here?)
 
Doc Al said:
At the "point of slipping", the ladder is still leaning against the wall. What vertical forces act on the ladder? (In this problem, the ladder is usually leaning against a frictionless wall. Is that the case here?)

thx i understand now
 

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