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AP Physics C: Mechanics
5.5 Rotational Equilibrium and Newton’s First Law in Rotational Form
5.3 Torque
AdvancedMCQMathematical13.7k
A side-view diagram shows a straight thick line segment representing a ladder of length \(L\) leaning against a vertical wall on the right and resting on a horizontal floor at the bottom left. The floor and wall meet at a perpendicular corner. The base of the ladder contacts the floor at an angle \(\theta\) above the horizontal floor. The top of the ladder contacts the vertical wall at height \(L\sin\theta\). A coordinate axis labeled \(x\) runs parallel to the ladder, pointing upward from the base where \(x = 0\) toward the top where \(x = L\). A shaded circle representing a person of mass \(m\) is positioned on the ladder at a distance \(d\) along the ladder from the base. A double-headed dimension arrow parallel to the ladder indicates the distance \(d\) from the floor contact point to the circle. No other labels, lines, text, or forces appear.
A non-uniform ladder leaning against a vertical wall with a person of mass \(m\) at distance \(d\).
A non-uniform ladder of length \(L\) and total mass \(M\) leans against a frictionless vertical wall, making an angle \(\theta\) with a rough horizontal floor. The ladder has a linear mass density that increases linearly from the base according to \(\lambda(x) = \dfrac{2M}{L^2}x\), where \(x\) is the distance measured along the ladder from the base. The coefficient of static friction between the base of the ladder and the floor is \(\mu_s\). In terms of the given quantities and fundamental constants, what is the maximum distance \(d\) along the ladder that a painter of mass \(m\) can climb from the base before the ladder begins to slip?

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