AQA M2 2008 January — Question 3

Exam BoardAQA
ModuleM2 (Mechanics 2)
Year2008
SessionJanuary
TopicMoments

3 A uniform ladder of length 4 metres and mass 20 kg rests in equilibrium with its foot, \(A\), on a rough horizontal floor and its top leaning against a smooth vertical wall. The vertical plane containing the ladder is perpendicular to the wall and the angle between the ladder and the floor is \(60 ^ { \circ }\). A man of mass 80 kg is standing at point \(C\) on the ladder. With the man in this position, the ladder is on the point of slipping. The coefficient of friction between the ladder and the floor is 0.4 . The man may be modelled as a particle at \(C\).
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  1. Draw a diagram to show the forces acting on the ladder.
  2. Show that the magnitude of the frictional force between the ladder and the ground is 392 N .
  3. Find the distance \(A C\).