Rod with end on ground or wall supported by string

A uniform rod with one end resting on the ground or against a wall (not hinged) and supported by a string or rope, requiring analysis of friction, normal reactions, and string tension.

17 questions · Standard +0.8

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CAIE M2 2003 June Q3
7 marks Standard +0.3
3 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{7f8646df-a7d8-4ca1-a6ee-3ceab6bb83af-3_464_439_274_854} A uniform beam \(A B\) has length 6 m and mass 45 kg . One end of a light inextensible rope is attached to the beam at the point 2.5 m from \(A\). The other end of the rope is attached to a fixed point \(P\) on a vertical wall. The beam is in equilibrium with \(A\) in contact with the wall at a point 5 m below \(P\). The rope is taut and at right angles to \(A B\) (see diagram). Find
  1. the tension in the rope,
  2. the horizontal and vertical components of the force exerted by the wall on the beam at \(A\).
Edexcel M2 2016 June Q5
11 marks Standard +0.8
5. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{790546bf-38a4-4eb7-876e-941fe58f4a48-09_952_664_246_712} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 3}
\end{figure} A uniform rod \(A B\) has mass 6 kg and length 2 m . The end \(A\) of the rod rests against a rough vertical wall. One end of a light string is attached to the rod at \(B\). The other end of the string is attached to the wall at \(C\), which is vertically above \(A\). The angle between the rod and the string is \(30 ^ { \circ }\) and the angle between the rod and the wall is \(70 ^ { \circ }\), as shown in Figure 3. The rod is in a vertical plane perpendicular to the wall and rests in limiting equilibrium. Find
  1. the tension in the string,
  2. the coefficient of friction between the rod and the wall,
  3. the direction of the force exerted on the rod by the wall at \(A\).
    DO NOT WIRITE IN THIS AREA
Edexcel M2 2018 June Q2
9 marks Standard +0.3
2. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{a3f28425-4acf-4878-b0e3-15b5bc8a92d7-04_494_1116_226_415} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} A uniform rod \(A B\), of mass 6 kg and length 1.6 m , rests with its end \(A\) on rough horizontal ground. The rod is held in equilibrium at \(30 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal by a light string attached to the rod at \(B\). The string is at \(40 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal and lies in the same vertical plane as the rod, as shown in Figure 1. The tension in the string is \(T\) newtons. The coefficient of friction between the ground and the rod is \(\mu\).
  1. Show that, to 3 significant figures, \(T = 27.1\)
  2. Find the set of values of \(\mu\) for which equilibrium is possible. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{a3f28425-4acf-4878-b0e3-15b5bc8a92d7-07_27_40_2802_1893}
Edexcel M2 2017 October Q4
12 marks Standard +0.3
4. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{5ef8231d-5b95-4bbb-a8e2-788c708fa078-12_518_696_319_625} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} A uniform \(\operatorname { rod } A B\) has mass \(m\) and length \(6 a\). The end \(A\) rests against a rough vertical wall. One end of a light inextensible string is attached to the rod at the point \(C\), where \(A C = 2 a\). The other end of the string is attached to the wall at the point \(D\), where \(D\) is vertically above \(A\), with the string perpendicular to the rod. A particle of mass \(m\) is attached to the rod at the end \(B\). The rod is in equilibrium in a vertical plane which is perpendicular to the wall. The rod is inclined at \(60 ^ { \circ }\) to the wall, as shown in Figure 1. Find, in terms of \(m\) and \(g\),
  1. the tension in the string,
  2. the magnitude of the horizontal component of the force exerted by the wall on the rod. The coefficient of friction between the wall and the rod is \(\mu\). Given that the rod is in limiting equilibrium,
  3. find the value of \(\mu\).
Edexcel M2 2018 October Q6
10 marks Standard +0.8
6. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{99d06f7b-f5cc-4c19-ae26-8f715eda8ee8-20_755_579_267_703} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 5}
\end{figure} A uniform rod, \(A B\), of mass \(8 m\) and length \(2 a\), has its end \(A\) resting against a rough vertical wall. One end of a light inextensible string is attached to the rod at \(B\) and the other end of the string is attached to the wall at the point \(D\), which is vertically above \(A\). The angle between the rod and the string is \(30 ^ { \circ }\). A particle of mass \(k m\) is fixed to the rod at \(C\), where \(A C = 0.5 a\). The rod is in equilibrium in a vertical plane perpendicular to the wall, and is at an angle of \(60 ^ { \circ }\) to the wall, as shown in Figure 5. The tension in the string is \(T\).
  1. Show that \(T = \frac { \sqrt { 3 } } { 4 } ( 16 + k ) m g\) The coefficient of friction between the wall and the rod is \(\frac { 2 } { 3 } \sqrt { 3 }\).
    Given that the rod is in limiting equilibrium,
  2. find the value of \(k\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{99d06f7b-f5cc-4c19-ae26-8f715eda8ee8-23_67_65_2656_1886}
CAIE FP2 2010 June Q2
7 marks Standard +0.8
2 A uniform \(\operatorname { rod } A B\) of weight \(W\) rests in equilibrium with \(A\) in contact with a rough vertical wall. The rod is in a vertical plane perpendicular to the wall, and is supported by a force of magnitude \(P\) acting at \(B\) in this vertical plane. The rod makes an angle of \(60 ^ { \circ }\) with the wall, and the force makes an angle of \(30 ^ { \circ }\) with the rod (see diagram). Find the value of \(P\). Find also the set of possible values of the coefficient of friction between the rod and the wall.
CAIE FP2 2013 June Q1
8 marks Challenging +1.2
1 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{137d2806-f45c-4121-8ee9-bf89580e1cca-2_684_714_246_717} A uniform \(\operatorname { rod } A B\), of mass \(m\) and length \(4 a\), rests with the end \(A\) on rough horizontal ground. The point \(C\) on \(A B\) is such that \(A C = 3 a\). A light inextensible string has one end attached to the point \(P\) which is at a distance \(5 a\) vertically above \(A\), and the other end attached to \(C\). The rod and the string are in the same vertical plane and the system is in equilibrium with angle \(A C P\) equal to \(90 ^ { \circ }\) (see diagram). The coefficient of friction between the rod and the ground is \(\mu\). Show that the least possible value of \(\mu\) is \(\frac { 24 } { 43 }\).
CAIE FP2 2013 June Q1
8 marks Standard +0.8
1 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{a473cbb8-877f-48df-8751-c76d96396734-2_684_714_246_717} A uniform \(\operatorname { rod } A B\), of mass \(m\) and length \(4 a\), rests with the end \(A\) on rough horizontal ground. The point \(C\) on \(A B\) is such that \(A C = 3 a\). A light inextensible string has one end attached to the point \(P\) which is at a distance \(5 a\) vertically above \(A\), and the other end attached to \(C\). The rod and the string are in the same vertical plane and the system is in equilibrium with angle \(A C P\) equal to \(90 ^ { \circ }\) (see diagram). The coefficient of friction between the rod and the ground is \(\mu\). Show that the least possible value of \(\mu\) is \(\frac { 24 } { 43 }\).
CAIE FP2 2019 June Q4
10 marks Challenging +1.2
4 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{2aaf3493-6509-4668-91a2-9f4708bbbb58-08_677_812_258_664} A uniform rod \(A B\) of length \(4 a\) and weight \(W\) rests with the end \(A\) in contact with a rough vertical wall. A light inextensible string of length \(\frac { 5 } { 2 } a\) has one end attached to the point \(C\) on the rod, where \(A C = \frac { 5 } { 2 } a\). The other end of the string is attached to a point \(D\) on the wall, vertically above \(A\). The vertical plane containing the \(\operatorname { rod } A B\) is perpendicular to the wall. The angle between the rod and the wall is \(\theta\), where \(\tan \theta = 2\) (see diagram). The end \(A\) of the rod is on the point of slipping down the wall and the coefficient of friction between the rod and the wall is \(\mu\). Find, in either order, the tension in the string and the value of \(\mu\).
CAIE FP2 2011 November Q10 EITHER
Challenging +1.2
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{96b6c92d-6d13-452f-84ec-37c45651b232-5_606_787_411_680}
A uniform rod \(A B\), of weight \(W\) and length \(2 a\), rests with the end \(A\) on a rough horizontal plane. A light inextensible string \(B C\) is attached to the rod at \(B\) and passes over a small smooth fixed peg \(P\), which is at a distance \(h\) vertically above \(A\). A particle is attached at \(C\) and hangs vertically. The points \(A , B\) and \(C\) are all in the same vertical plane. In equilibrium the rod is inclined at an angle \(\theta\) to the horizontal (see diagram). The coefficient of friction between the rod and the plane is \(\mu\). Show that $$\mu \geqslant \frac { 2 a \cos \theta } { h + 2 a \sin \theta }$$ Given that the particle attached at \(C\) has weight \(k W\), angle \(A B P = 90 ^ { \circ }\) and \(h = 3 a\), find
  1. the value of \(k\),
  2. the horizontal component of the force on \(P\), in terms of \(W\).
CAIE FP2 2011 November Q10 EITHER
Challenging +1.2
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{d7370e24-f2b2-451b-bc66-e6a6cae78cc6-5_606_787_411_680}
A uniform rod \(A B\), of weight \(W\) and length \(2 a\), rests with the end \(A\) on a rough horizontal plane. A light inextensible string \(B C\) is attached to the rod at \(B\) and passes over a small smooth fixed peg \(P\), which is at a distance \(h\) vertically above \(A\). A particle is attached at \(C\) and hangs vertically. The points \(A , B\) and \(C\) are all in the same vertical plane. In equilibrium the rod is inclined at an angle \(\theta\) to the horizontal (see diagram). The coefficient of friction between the rod and the plane is \(\mu\). Show that $$\mu \geqslant \frac { 2 a \cos \theta } { h + 2 a \sin \theta }$$ Given that the particle attached at \(C\) has weight \(k W\), angle \(A B P = 90 ^ { \circ }\) and \(h = 3 a\), find
  1. the value of \(k\),
  2. the horizontal component of the force on \(P\), in terms of \(W\).
CAIE FP2 2011 November Q10 EITHER
Challenging +1.2
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{0d4a352c-4eda-45b4-9284-60c6fc680f02-5_606_789_411_680}
A uniform rod \(A B\), of weight \(W\) and length \(2 a\), rests with the end \(A\) on a rough horizontal plane. A light inextensible string \(B C\) is attached to the rod at \(B\) and passes over a small smooth fixed peg \(P\), which is at a distance \(h\) vertically above \(A\). A particle is attached at \(C\) and hangs vertically. The points \(A , B\) and \(C\) are all in the same vertical plane. In equilibrium the rod is inclined at an angle \(\theta\) to the horizontal (see diagram). The coefficient of friction between the rod and the plane is \(\mu\). Show that $$\mu \geqslant \frac { 2 a \cos \theta } { h + 2 a \sin \theta }$$ Given that the particle attached at \(C\) has weight \(k W\), angle \(A B P = 90 ^ { \circ }\) and \(h = 3 a\), find
  1. the value of \(k\),
  2. the horizontal component of the force on \(P\), in terms of \(W\).
CAIE FP2 2015 November Q1
9 marks Standard +0.8
1 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{27d3ee31-7c6e-4451-9c3d-aa4cfc0fdb22-2_744_504_255_824} A uniform ladder \(A B\), of length \(3 a\) and weight \(W\), rests with the end \(A\) in contact with smooth horizontal ground and the end \(B\) against a smooth vertical wall. One end of a light inextensible rope is attached to the ladder at the point \(C\), where \(A C = a\). The other end of the rope is fixed to the point \(D\) at the base of the wall and the rope \(D C\) is in the same vertical plane as the ladder \(A B\). The ladder rests in equilibrium in a vertical plane perpendicular to the wall, with the ladder making an angle \(\theta\) with the horizontal and the rope making an angle \(\alpha\) with the horizontal (see diagram). It is given that \(\tan \theta = 2 \tan \alpha\). Find, in terms of \(W\) and \(\alpha\), the tension in the rope and the magnitudes of the forces acting on the ladder at \(A\) and at \(B\).
CAIE FP2 2015 November Q1
9 marks Standard +0.8
1 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{a8e37fb1-14c7-4004-b186-d607878e200d-2_744_504_255_824} A uniform ladder \(A B\), of length \(3 a\) and weight \(W\), rests with the end \(A\) in contact with smooth horizontal ground and the end \(B\) against a smooth vertical wall. One end of a light inextensible rope is attached to the ladder at the point \(C\), where \(A C = a\). The other end of the rope is fixed to the point \(D\) at the base of the wall and the rope \(D C\) is in the same vertical plane as the ladder \(A B\). The ladder rests in equilibrium in a vertical plane perpendicular to the wall, with the ladder making an angle \(\theta\) with the horizontal and the rope making an angle \(\alpha\) with the horizontal (see diagram). It is given that \(\tan \theta = 2 \tan \alpha\). Find, in terms of \(W\) and \(\alpha\), the tension in the rope and the magnitudes of the forces acting on the ladder at \(A\) and at \(B\).
Edexcel M2 2016 June Q5
12 marks Standard +0.3
5. A non-uniform rod \(A B\), of mass 5 kg and length 4 m , rests with one end \(A\) on rough horizontal ground. The centre of mass of the rod is \(d\) metres from \(A\). The rod is held in limiting equilibrium at an angle \(\theta\) to the horizontal by a force \(\mathbf { P }\), which acts in a direction perpendicular to the rod at \(B\), as shown in Figure 2. The line of action of \(\mathbf { P }\) lies in the same vertical plane as the rod.
  1. Find, in terms of \(d , g\) and \(\theta\),
    1. the magnitude of the vertical component of the force exerted on the rod by the ground,
    2. the magnitude of the friction force acting on the rod at \(A\). Given that \(\tan \theta = \frac { 5 } { 12 }\) and that the coefficient of friction between the rod and the ground is \(\frac { 1 } { 2 }\),
  2. find the value of \(d\).
Edexcel Paper 3 2022 June Q4
11 marks Standard +0.3
4. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{414946db-64d7-44b8-801d-2c7805ee9cc6-12_716_1191_246_438} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} A uniform rod \(A B\) has mass \(M\) and length \(2 a\) A particle of mass \(2 M\) is attached to the rod at the point \(C\), where \(A C = 1.5 a\) The rod rests with its end \(A\) on rough horizontal ground.
The rod is held in equilibrium at an angle \(\theta\) to the ground by a light string that is attached to the end \(B\) of the rod. The string is perpendicular to the rod, as shown in Figure 2.
  1. Explain why the frictional force acting on the rod at \(A\) acts horizontally to the right on the diagram. The tension in the string is \(T\)
  2. Show that \(T = 2 M g \cos \theta\) Given that \(\cos \theta = \frac { 3 } { 5 }\)
  3. show that the magnitude of the vertical force exerted by the ground on the rod at \(A\) is \(\frac { 57 M g } { 25 }\) The coefficient of friction between the rod and the ground is \(\mu\) Given that the rod is in limiting equilibrium,
  4. show that \(\mu = \frac { 8 } { 19 }\)
Edexcel M2 Q3
11 marks Standard +0.8
3. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{ef2dd10c-5a3c-4868-af00-aaf7f2937d7e-2_421_474_1080_664} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 1}
\end{figure} Figure 1 shows a ladder of mass 20 kg and length 6 m leaning against a rough vertical wall with its lower end on smooth horizontal ground. The ladder is prevented from slipping along the ground by a light rope which is attached to the ladder 2 m from its bottom end and fastened to the wall so that the rope is horizontal and perpendicular to the wall. The ladder is at an angle \(\theta\) to the horizontal where \(\tan \theta = \frac { 5 } { 2 }\) and the coefficient of friction between the ladder and the wall is \(\frac { 1 } { 3 }\).
  1. Draw a diagram showing all the forces acting on the ladder.
  2. Show that the magnitude of the tension in the rope is \(5 g\). A man wishes to use the ladder but fears the rope will snap as he climbs the ladder.
  3. Suggest, giving a reason for your answer, a more suitable position for the rope.
    (2 marks)