Edexcel M2 2009 January — Question 2

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM2 (Mechanics 2)
Year2009
SessionJanuary
TopicMoments

2. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{4c8ebad3-0ebb-4dfe-8036-54b651deb9cf-03_602_554_205_712} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} Figure 1 shows a ladder \(A B\), of mass 25 kg and length 4 m , resting in equilibrium with one end \(A\) on rough horizontal ground and the other end \(B\) against a smooth vertical wall. The ladder is in a vertical plane perpendicular to the wall. The coefficient of friction between the ladder and the ground is \(\frac { 11 } { 25 }\). The ladder makes an angle \(\beta\) with the ground. When Reece, who has mass 75 kg , stands at the point \(C\) on the ladder, where \(A C = 2.8 \mathrm {~m}\), the ladder is on the point of slipping. The ladder is modelled as a uniform rod and Reece is modelled as a particle.
  1. Find the magnitude of the frictional force of the ground on the ladder.
  2. Find, to the nearest degree, the value of \(\beta\).
  3. State how you have used the modelling assumption that Reece is a particle.