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Ladder Problems WES

This document discusses solving ladder problems using physics concepts like forces, friction, and equilibrium. Several example problems are worked through involving ladders resting against walls and on the ground. Additional practice problems are provided along with their solutions.

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Assem Hefny
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281 views

Ladder Problems WES

This document discusses solving ladder problems using physics concepts like forces, friction, and equilibrium. Several example problems are worked through involving ladders resting against walls and on the ground. Additional practice problems are provided along with their solutions.

Uploaded by

Assem Hefny
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ladder Problems
Starter
1. (Review of last lesson)
A non-uniform beam, A B, of mass 5 kg and length b m, 40 N B
is freely hinged to a vertical wall at A. The beam is held in
equilibrium at an angle of 30o to the horizontal by a force
of magnitude 40 N, applied horizontally at B, as shown.
Find the distance of the centre of mass of the beam 30o
A 5g
from A. Give your answer in terms of b.

Working: Let d be the distance of the centre of mass of the beam from A
↻ about A: 5g cos 30 × d = 40 sin 30 × b
40 sin 30 × b
d=
5g cos 30
d ≈ 0.471b m
The distance of the centre of mass of the beam from A is 0.471b (3 s.f.).

E.g. 1 A ladder rests against a smooth vertical wall at an angle of RW


65o to rough horizontal ground. The ladder has mass 4.5 kg C
and length 5x m. A cat of mass 1.3 kg sits on the ladder at C,
4x m from the base. The ladder is in limiting equilibrium. 1.3g
Modelling the ladder as a uniform rod and the cat as a particle, RG
find the coefficient of friction between the ground and the ladder. 4.5g
65o
Flim
Working: FlimG = μRG so we need to find FlimG and RG.
↻ about RG: 4.5g cos 65 × 2.5x + 1.3g cos 65 × 4x = RW cos 25 × 5x
Dividing by x: 11.25g cos 65 + 5.2g = 5 cos 25 × RW
11.25g cos 65 + 5.2g cos 65
RW =
5 cos 25
RW = 15.034
R( → ): FlimG = RW = 15.034…N
R( ↑ ): RG = 4.5g + 1.3g = 56.84 N
FlimG 15.034
Flim = μR: μ= =
RG 56.84
μ = 0.26

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E.g. 2 A uniform ladder of mass 11 kg and length 7 m rests against a rough


vertical wall, at an angle of 60o to smooth, horizontal ground, as shown.
A horizontal force of magnitude 35 N is applied to the base of the ladder,
keeping it in limiting equilibrium, with the ladder on the point of sliding
up the wall. Find:
(a) the magnitude of the normal reaction of the wall on the ladder, 11g
(b) the frictional force between the wall and the ladder, 60o
(c) the coefficient of friction between the wall and the ladder.
35 N
Hint: draw a diagram with all the forces included.

Working: (a) Since the ladder is on the point of sliding up the wall, RW
the friction force between the ladder and the wall acts
downwards.
R( → ): RW = 35 RG
FlimW
The magnitude of the normal reaction of the
wall on the ladder is 35 N 11g
60o
35 N
(b) ↻ about foot of ladder:
FlimW cos 60 × 7 + 11g cos 60 × 3.5 = RW sin 60 × 7
Since RW = 35:
FlimW cos 60 × 7 = 35 sin 60 × 7 − 11g cos 60 × 3.5
35 sin 60 × 7 − 11g cos 60 × 3.5
FlimW =
cos 60 × 7
FlimW ≈ 6.72 N
The frictional force between the wall and the ladder is 6.72 N (3 s.f.)

6.72...
(c) FlimW = μRW: μ= 6.72... is value from calc
35
μ ≈ 0.192
The coefficient of friction between the wall and the ladder is 0.192 (3
s.f.).
Ladder, normal reactions, μ

Video: Ladder problems

Ladder problems EQ

Solutions to Starter and E.g.s

Exercise
p520 22D Qu 2-6

Additional questions
1. A uniform ladder of mass 10 kg and length 6 m rests with one end on rough, horizontal
ground and the other end against a smooth, vertical wall. The coefficient of friction
between the ground and the ladder is 0.3, and the ladder makes an angle of 65o with the
ground. A girl of mass 50 kg begins to climb the ladder. How far up the ladder can she
climb before the ladder slips?

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2. A uniform ladder of mass 9 kg and length 4.8 m rests in limiting equilibrium with one end on
rough horizontal ground and the other end against a rough, vertical wall. The normal
reactions at the wall and the ground are 22 N and 75 N respectively. Find:
(a) the angle that the ladder makes with the ground,
(b) the coefficient of friction between the wall and the ladder,
(c) the coefficient of friction between the ground and the ladder.

3*. Robert holds an 8 m uniform ladder in place against a smooth vertical wall by applying a
horizontal force of K N to it, 1 m from the base of the ladder. The ladder weighs 100 N and
makes an angle of 75o with the rough horizontal floor, where μ = 0.1. Given that the
ladder remains at rest, find the range of possible values for the magnitude of the force K.

Answers to additional questions


1. 4.03 m (Lad
der, distance)
2. (a) 54.6o
(b) 0.6
(c) 0.29 (L
adder, rough wall)
3. 3.882… ≤ K ≤ 26.73… *(Ladder, range of values)

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