Chapter Review

1 Let S be the reaction of the wall on the ladder at B.

Let R be the reaction of the ground on the ladder at A.
(Both surfaces are smooth, so no friction.)

Taking moments about A:

mg × 52 a × cos θ + F × a × sin θ = S × 5a × sin θ
5mg
+ F tan θ = 5S tan θ (dividing by a cos θ )
2
5mg
= + F tan θ 5 F tan θ = (Since F S )
2
5mg
= 4 F tan θ
2
= 4 × 95 F (Since tan θ =5)
9

= 7.2 F
5mg
F=
2 × 7.2
25mg
= as required.
72

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2 Let N be the reaction of the wall on the ladder at B.
Let R be the reaction of the ground on the ladder at A,
Let F the friction between the ladder and the ground at A.
tan α = 4 ⇒ sin α =
3
5 and cos α =
3 4
5

R ( ↑ ) : R =mg + 2mg =3mg

Taking moments about B:

mg × a sin α + 2mg × 43 a sin α + F × 2a cos α = R × 2a sin α
3 8mga 3 4 3
mga × + × + F × 2a ×= 6mga ×
5 3 5 5 5
8a 18mga 8mga 3mga
F× = − −
5 5 5 5
8a 7 mga
F× =
5 5
7 mga 5
F= ×
5 8a
7 mg
=
8

The ladder and the child are in equilibrium, so

F ≤ µR
7 mg
≤ µ × 3mg
8
µ ≥ 247
The least possible value for µ is 7
24

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3 Let R be the reaction of the ground on the ladder at A.
Let N be the reaction of the wall on the ladder at B.
Let F be the friction between the wall and the ladder at B.

a Since you do not know the magnitude of F, you cannot resolve

vertically to find R.
Therefore, take moments about B (since this eliminates F):
W 7a
× sin θ + W × a cos θ = R × 2a cos θ
3 4
7W
× tan θ + W = 2R (dividing through by a cos θ )
12
7W 4
= × + W 2R = (since tan θ 43 )
12 3
16W
= 2R
9
8W
R=
9
W
b R (→) : N =
3
R (↑) :
R+F =W
F= W − R
= W − 89 W
W
=
9
For the ladder to remain in equilibrium,
F ≤ µN
W W
≤µ
9 3
µ≥3 1

c The ladder had negligible thickness / the ladder does not bend.

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4 a Let S be the reaction of the wall on the ladder.
Let R be the reaction of the ground on the ladder.
Let F the friction between the ladder and the ground.
Let X be the point where the lines of action of R and S
intersect, as shown in the diagram.

By Pythagoras’s Theorem, distance from base of ladder

to wall is 3 m.

R (→) : F =
S
R (↑): R =
W

Taking moments about X:

1.5W = 4 F

Suppose the ladder can rest in equilibrium in this position. Then

F ≤ µR
1.5W
≤ 0.3 × W
4
3W 3W
≤
8 10
30 ≤ 24

which is false, therefore the assumption that must be false – the ladder cannot be resting in
equilibrium.

b With the brick in place, take moments about X:

1.5W = 4 F so
1.5W 3W
F= =
4 8
which is independent of M, the mass of the brick.

So the smallest value for

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5 Let S be the reaction of the wall on the ladder at Q
Let R be the reaction of the ground on the ladder at P
5 2
tan α = 2 ⇒ sin α =
5
and cos α =
29 29
Since the ladder is in limiting equilibrium,
frictional force at the wall = μS = 0.2S.

Taking moments about P:

20 g ×1cos α = S × 4sin α + 0.2 S × 4 × cos α
20 × 2  4 × 5 0.8 × 2 
= g  + S
29  29 29 
40 g = 21.6 S
392
= S = 18.148...
21.6
R(→): F = S

The force F required to hold the ladder still is 18 N (2 s.f.).

Challenge
1

a Taking moments about A

3T sin 60 = 5 g × 2 + 10 g ×1.5
50
T= gN
3 3

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 1b

Res(→) Rx = T cos 60
50
= g
6 3
Res(↑) T sin 60 + Ry =
15 g
25
Ry 15 g −
= g
3
20
= g
3

R
= Rx2 + Ry2
2 2
 50   20 
=  g + g
6 3   3 
= 80.570...
= 80.6 N (3 s.f.)
20
g
tan θ = 3
50
g
6 3
120 3
=
150
θ = 54.182…
= 54.2° (3 s.f.)
Therefore at 54.2° to the horizontal.

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