Working out the coeffient of friction?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mm874
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Friction
AI Thread Summary
To calculate the coefficient of static friction (μ) for a ladder weighing 250 N and resting at a 55-degree angle against a smooth wall, a free body diagram (FBD) is essential. The discussion highlights that many students struggle with this problem, as it has appeared in past exams without prior classroom coverage. Participants encourage sharing attempts and specific points of confusion to facilitate assistance. Understanding the forces acting on the ladder, including friction and normal forces, is crucial for solving the problem. Collaboration and clear communication of difficulties can help students overcome their challenges in this physics scenario.
mm874
Messages
7
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A ladder of weight 250 N and of length 6.0 m....?
A ladder of weight 250 N and of length 6.0 m rests with its lower end on a horizontal rough concrete surface and its upper end against a smooth wall. If the ladder just starts to slip when the angle between it and the concrete is 550, calculate the coefficient of static friction μ.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Unfortunately I have no idea where to begin. So any help would be much appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Begin by drawing a free body diagram (FBD) of the ladder.
 
Sorry, I had already done that and am still struggling! This has croppped up on a number of past exam papers but we haven't been through it in class.
 
If you've already done it, show what you did and where you got stuck. We will help you get unstuck and stop struggling.
 

Thread 'Rolling without slipping on a curved surface'

Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
View full post »

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »

Similar threads

Normal force at the base of a ladder
Replies
20
Views
2K
Angle of Inclination Homework: Find θ at Ladder's Verge of Slipping
Replies
9
Views
2K
Conceptual question about frictional force and equilibrium
Replies
8
Views
3K
Solving Equilibrium: 80N Ladder on Wall & Ground
Replies
3
Views
2K
Ladder on a wall held in place by a peg
Replies
3
Views
4K
Static Friction -- A ladder leaning against a wall starts to slip
Replies
13
Views
6K
Drone dragging a hose behind it
Replies
24
Views
1K
Can anyone check my working on the friction upcoming test question
Replies
3
Views
5K
[Statics - Torques] Determining Coefficient of Static Friction
Replies
1
Views
2K
Ladder Leaning against wall -- find the coefficient of friction
Replies
5
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top