Edexcel M2 2008 June — Question 5

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM2 (Mechanics 2)
Year2008
SessionJune
TopicMoments

5. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{a2738ce4-4dc5-4cd1-ac3d-0c3fcf21ea71-07_501_918_274_502} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} A plank rests in equilibrium against a fixed horizontal pole. The plank is modelled as a uniform rod \(A B\) and the pole as a smooth horizontal peg perpendicular to the vertical plane containing \(A B\). The rod has length \(3 a\) and weight \(W\) and rests on the peg at \(C\), where \(A C = 2 a\). The end \(A\) of the rod rests on rough horizontal ground and \(A B\) makes an angle \(\alpha\) with the ground, as shown in Figure 2.
  1. Show that the normal reaction on the rod at \(A\) is \(\frac { 1 } { 4 } \left( 4 - 3 \cos ^ { 2 } \alpha \right) W\). Given that the rod is in limiting equilibrium and that \(\cos \alpha = \frac { 2 } { 3 }\),
  2. find the coefficient of friction between the rod and the ground.