Answer:
a) F₁ = 267.3 N, N₁ = 1300 N, b) μ = 0.324
Explanation:
For this exercise we use the rotational equilibrium condition, we have a reference system is the floor and the anticlockwise rotations as positive, in the adjoint we can see a diagram of the forces
let's use subscript 1 for the ladder and 2 for the firefighter
∑ τ = 0
-W₁ x₁ - W₂ x₂ + N₁ y = 0
N₁ = (1)
the center of mass of the ladder is at its geometric center,
d = L / 2 = 15/2 = 7.5 m
cos 60 = x₁ / d₁
x₁ = d₁ cos 60
x₁ = 7.5 cos 60
x₁ = 3.75 m
for the firefighter d₂ = 4 m
cos 60 = x₂ / d₂
x₂ = d₂ cos 60
x₂ = 4 cos 60 = 2 m
for the fulcrum d₃ = 15 m
sin 60 = y / d₃
y = d₃ sin 60
y = 15 sin 60
y = 13 m
we look for the Normal by substituting in equation 1
N₂ =
N₂ = 267.3 N
now let's use the translational equilibrium relations
X axis
F₁ - N₂ = 0
F₁ = N₂
F₁ = 267.3 N
Axis y
N₁ - W₁ -W₂ = 0
N₁ = W₁ + W₂
N₁ = 500 + 800
N₁ = 1300 N
b) for this case change the firefighter's distance d₂ = 9 m
x₂ = 9 cos 60
x₂ = 4.5 m
we substitute in 1
N₂ = \frac{500 \ 3.75 \ + 800 \ 4.5}{13}
N₂ = 421.15 N
of the translational equilibrium equation on the x-axis
fr = F₁ = N₂
fr = 421.15 N
friction force has the expression
fr = μ N
in this case the reaction of the Earth to the support of the ladder is N1 = 1300N
μ = fr / N₁
μ = 421.15 / 1300
μ = 0.324
