The Student Room Group

M2 ladder problem

A uniform ladder of mass M rests in limiting equilibrium with one end on rough horizontal ground and the other end against a rough vertical wall. The coefficient of friction between the ladder and the ground is U and the coefficient of friction between the ladder and the wall is U1. Given that the ladder makes an angle theta with the horizontal, show that

tan theta= 1-(UU1)/ 2U
Reply 1
You don't seem to have had any response so far, so here are my thoughts -

In equilibrium, forces balance in each direction and moments about any point balance. The forces acting are:

Where the ladder meets the wall:
There is a reaction force (S) out of the wall.
There is a frictional force upwards (U1 x S).

At the centre of the ladder (a length D from each end):
The weight (Mg) acting downwards.

At the base of the ladder:
There is a reaction force (R) up from the ground.
There is a frictional force towards the wall (U x R).

The horizontal forces have to balance, so S = U x R
The vertical forces have to balance, so U1 x S + R = Mg
The moments about the base of the ladder have to balance, so
2D (S x sin theta + U1 x S x cos theta) =
D (Mg x cos theta)

If you manipulate these three equations, you'll get tan theta = (1-UU1)/2U

Hope this helps.:smile:
Reply 2
RodT
You don't seem to have had any response so far, so here are my thoughts -

In equilibrium, forces balance in each direction and moments about any point balance. The forces acting are:

Where the ladder meets the wall:
There is a reaction force (S) out of the wall.
There is a frictional force upwards (U1 x S).

At the centre of the ladder (a length D from each end):
The weight (Mg) acting downwards.

At the base of the ladder:
There is a reaction force (R) up from the ground.
There is a frictional force towards the wall (U x R).

The horizontal forces have to balance, so S = U x R
The vertical forces have to balance, so U1 x S + R = Mg
The moments about the base of the ladder have to balance, so
2D (S x sin theta + U1 x S x cos theta) =
D (Mg x cos theta)

If you manipulate these three equations, you'll get tan theta = (1-UU1)/2U

Hope this helps.:smile:


thx u have solved a big problem there