Min. angle at which ladder will not slip

The base of the ladder is not the point of rotation.In summary, to find the minimum angle at which the ladder will not slip, you need to calculate the lever arm for the wall force moment as a function of the ladder's length and angle, as it is not simply half the length of the ladder.
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Homework Statement


A uniform ladder of mass, m, and length, l, leans at an angle, [tex]\theta[/tex], against a frictionless wall. If the coefficient of static friction between the ladder and the ground is [tex]\mu_{s}[/tex], what is the minimum angle at which the ladder will not slip?



Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I've attached my FBD.

SFx = mg - N = 0
SFy = [tex]\mu[/tex]mg - Fw = 0
St = FwL - mg(L/2) = 0

mg = N
[tex]\mu[/tex]mg = Fw
FwL = mg(L/2)
L/2 = [tex]\mu[/tex]

Where do I go from here?
 

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  • #2
Your FBD is good, and your sum of forces = 0 equations are good, but your sum of torques equation is incorrect. L, for example, is not the lever arm for the wall force moment about the base. You need to calculate that arm as a function of L and theta. L is the length of the ladder as measured along the incline.
 

Related to Min. angle at which ladder will not slip

1. What is the minimum angle at which a ladder will not slip?

The minimum angle at which a ladder will not slip is approximately 75 degrees.

2. What factors affect the minimum angle at which a ladder will not slip?

The factors that affect the minimum angle at which a ladder will not slip include the weight of the person on the ladder, the weight distribution on the ladder, the surface the ladder is resting on, and the condition of the ladder.

3. How do I calculate the minimum angle at which a ladder will not slip?

The formula for calculating the minimum angle at which a ladder will not slip is: tan(theta) = coefficient of friction x (height of ladder / length of ladder).

4. What is the coefficient of friction and how does it relate to the minimum angle at which a ladder will not slip?

The coefficient of friction is a measure of the resistance between two surfaces in contact with each other. It is directly related to the minimum angle at which a ladder will not slip, as a higher coefficient of friction means the ladder is less likely to slip.

5. Can the minimum angle at which a ladder will not slip be affected by weather conditions?

Yes, weather conditions such as rain, snow, or ice can decrease the coefficient of friction between the ladder and the surface, making it more likely for the ladder to slip. It is important to take these conditions into consideration when using a ladder.

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