Physics

Physics

Problem

A uniform ladder ABAB of length 5 m5\,\text{m} and weight 300 N300\,\text{N} rests with its lower end AA on a rough horizontal floor and its upper end BB against a smooth vertical wall. The coefficient of static friction between the ladder and the floor is 0.400.40. (i) Draw the free-body diagram of the ladder, indicating all forces acting on it. (ii) Establish an expression that relates the angle θ\theta which the ladder makes with the floor to the given coefficient of friction when the ladder is on the point of slipping. (iii) Determine the least value of θ\theta for which the ladder remains in equilibrium, and compute the corresponding magnitudes of the normal reaction at the floor and the normal reaction at the wall.

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