FRICTION ((LADDER PROBLEMS) MAIT

Q. 1: What is ladder friction? How many forces are acting on a ladder?

Solution:

A ladder is an arrangement used for climbing on the

walls It essentially consists of two long uprights of
wood or iron and connected by a number of cross bars.
These cross bars are called rungs and provide steps for
climbing.
Fig shows a ladder AB with its end A resting on the
ground and end B leaning against a wall. ll. The ladder is
acted upon by the following set of forces:
(1) Weight W acting downwards at its mid point.
(2) Normal reaction Rb and friction force Fb = µRb
at the end B leaning against the wall. Since the
ladder has a tendency to slip downwards, the
friction force will be acting upwards. If the
wall is smooth (µ = 0), the friction force will
be zero.
(3) Normal reaction Ra and friction force Fa =µRa at the end A resting on the floor. Since the ladder, upon
slipping, tends to move away from the wall, the direction of friction force will be towards the wall.
Applying equilibrium conditions, the algebraic sum of the horizontal and vertical component of forces would be
zero.

Q. 2: A ladder 5m long rests on a horizontal ground and leans

against a smooth vertical wall at an angle 70° with the horizontal.
The weight of the ladder is 900N and acts at its middle. The ladder
is at the point of sliding, when a man weighing 750N stands 1.5m
from the bottom of the ladder. Calculate coefficient of friction
between the ladder and the floor.
Solution:

Forces acting on the ladder is shown in fig 9.62

Resolving all the forces vertically,
RV = R – 900 – 750 = 0
R = 1650N ...(ii)
Now taking moment about point B,
R × 5sin20° – Fr × 5cos20°
– 900 × 2.5sin20° – 750 × 3.5sin20° = 0
Since Fr = µR, and R = 1650N; Fr = 1650µ
Putting, the value of R and Fr
µ = 0.127 .......ANS (see Fig.)

Q. 3: A uniform ladder of length 13m and weighing 250N is placed

against a smooth vertical wall with its lower end 5m from the wall.
The coefficient of friction between the ladder and floor is 0.3. Show
that the ladder will remain in equilibrium in this position. What is the
frictional force acting on the ladder at the point of contact between
the ladder and the floor?
Solution:

Since the ladder is placed against a smooth vertical wall, therefore there
will be no friction at the point of contact between the ladder and wall.

Compiled by: RAMAKANT RANA “ramakantrana@blogspot.com” Page 1

 FRICTION ((LADDER PROBLEMS) MAIT
Resolve all the forces horizontally and vertically.
∑H = 0,
Fr – R2 = 0 ...(i)
∑V = 0,
R1 – 250 ...(ii)
From the geometry of the figure, BC = 12m
Taking moment about point B,
R1 × 5 – Fr × 12 – 250 × 2.5 = 0
Fr = 52N .......ANS
For equilibrium of the ladder, Maximum force of friction available at the point of contact between the ladder and the
floor = µR
= 0.3 × 250 = 75N .......ANS
Thus we see that the amount of the force of friction available at the point of contact (75N) is more than force of
friction required for equilibrium (52N). Therefore, the ladder will remain in equilibrium in this position.

Q. 4: A uniform ladder of 7m rests against a vertical wall with which it makes an angle of 45º, the coefficient
of friction between the ladder and the wall is 0.4 and that between ladder and the floor is 0.5. If a man, whose
weight is one half of that of the ladder, ascends it, how high will it be when the ladder slips?
Solution:

Let,
X = Distance between A and the man, when the ladder is at the
point of slipping.
W = Weight of the ladder
Weight of man = W/2 = 0.5W

Fr1 = 0.5R1 ...(i)

Fr2 = 0.4R2 ...(ii)
Resolving the forces vertically
R1 + Fr2 – W – 0.5W = 0
R1 + 0.4R2 = 1.5W ...(iii)
Resolving the forces Horizontally
R2 – Fr1 = 0; R2 = 0.5RR1 ...(iv)
Solving equation (iii) and (iv), we get
R2 = 0.625W, Fr2 = 0.25
0.25W
Now taking moment about point A,
W × 3.5cos45° + 0.5W W × xcos45° – R2 ×
7sin45° – Fr2 × 7cos45°
Putting the value of R2 and Fr2, we get
X = 5.25m .......ANS

Compiled by: RAMAKANT RANA “ramakantrana@blogspot.com” Page 2