DIY
on a ladder
A uniform ladder with
mass m2
and length L
rests against a smooth wall. A do-it-yourself enthusiast of mass m1
stands on the ladder a distance d
from the bottom (measured along the ladder). The ladder makes an angle θ with the ground. There is no
friction between the wall and the ladder, but there is a frictional
force of magnitude f
between the floor and the ladder. N1 is
the magnitude of the normal force exerted by the wall on the ladder,
and N2
is the magnitude of the normal force exerted by the ground on the
ladder. Throughout the problem, consider counterclockwise torques to be
positive.
What is the minimum
coefficient of static friction μmin required between the ladder and the ground so that
the ladder does not slip?