THE COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS AND NATURAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
2018/2019 ACADEMIC YEAR LECTURE NOTES

INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS PH 110

PROBLEM SOLVING HINTS

The following procedure is recommended when dealing with problems involving Newton’s laws:
• Draw a simple, neat diagram of the system to help conceptualize the problem.
• Categorize the problem: if any acceleration component is zero, the particle is in
equilibrium in this direction and ∑ 𝐹 = 0. If not, the particle is undergoing an acceleration,
the problem is one of nonequilibrium in this direction, and ∑ 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎.
• Analyze the problem by isolating the object whose motion is being analyzed. Draw a free-
body diagram for this object. For systems containing more than one object, draw separate
free-body diagrams for each object. Do not include in the free-body diagram forces exerted
by the object on its surroundings.
• Establish convenient coordinate axes for each object and find the components of the forces
along these axes. Apply Newton’s second law, ∑ 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎, in component form. Check your
dimensions to make sure that all terms have units of force.
• Solve the component equations for the unknowns. Remember that you must have as many
independent equations as you have unknowns to obtain a complete solution.
• Finalize by making sure your results are consistent with the free-body diagram. Also
check the predictions of your solutions for extreme values of the variables. By doing so,
you can often detect errors in your results

COMPILED BY MULENGA MUMA 1

 CHAPTER 4
FORCE AND MOTION (DYNAMICS)
Dynamics is the branch of mechanics that is concerned with motion of bodies in relation to the
physical factors that affect them; force, mass, momentum and energy. Dynamics also deals with
the study of equilibrium of bodies.

4.1. Newton’s laws of motion

The relationship between forces and produced acceleration is an aspect of dynamics. Sir Isaac
Newton (1642-1727) studied the concept of motion in detail and formulated them in three laws,
named after him.
4.1.1 First law (The law of inertia)
This law states “Every body continues to be in its state of rest or of uniform motion in a straight
line unless compelled by some external force to act otherwise”
The first law can be stated mathematically as

∑ 𝐹 = 0, then { 𝑣 = 0
𝑣 = 𝑐𝑠𝑡
Newton’s first law is sometimes called the law of inertia. According to this law, a body does not
change its state of rest or uniform motion, unless an external force compels it to change that state.
Inertia is the property of a body by which it tends to resist change in its state of rest or uniform
motion in a straight line.
First law helps us to define force. According to this law, a force is required to change the state of
rest or uniform motion of a body along a straight line. Hence, a force is that which changes or
tends to change the state of rest or uniform motion of a body along a straight line.
4.1.2 Second law
From the first law it is clear that a force changes the state of rest of a body or changes its velocity.
Thus, force produces acceleration. The second law gives us the relationship between force and
acceleration. It states “The rate of change of momentum is directly proportional to the force applied
and takes place in the direction of the force” or “The acceleration of a body is parallel and directly
proportional to the net force acting on the body, and is inversely proportional to the mass of the
body. Mathematically,
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎
Momentum is defined as the product of mass and its linear velocity given by:
𝑝 = 𝑚𝑣
Thus,

COMPILED BY MULENGA MUMA 2

 𝑑𝑝
𝐹∝
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑝 𝑑(𝑚𝑣) 𝑑𝑣
𝐹= = =𝑚
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑣
Since = 𝑎, then
𝑑𝑡

𝑭 = 𝒎𝒂
The S.I unit of a force is Newton (N). It is that force which produces an acceleration of 1 m/s2 on
a mass of 1 kg.
4.1.3 Third law
From Newton’s second law it is clear that when a body is in accelerated motion there is a force
acting on it. This force is due to some other bodies acting on the first one. Newton’s third law gives
a relation between those forces. When one body exerts a force on a second body, the second body
at the same time exerts an equal force on the first one. It is impossible to have a single isolated
force.
Newton’s third law states “To every action, there is always an equal and opposite reaction.”

Figure 4.1 The force exerted by body 1 on body 2 is equal in magnitude but opposite to the force
exerted by body 2 on body 1
i.e.
Action = − Reaction
⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗2
𝐹1 = −𝐹
⃗⃗⃗1 | = |𝐹
|𝐹 ⃗⃗⃗2 |

Even though action and reaction are equal and opposite, they do not cancel each other as they act
on two different bodies.

COMPILED BY MULENGA MUMA 3

4.2. Some forces in nature
⃗⃗⃗⃗ )
4.2.1 Weight (𝑾
The weight of a body is the force of gravity acting on the body. This force is directed toward the
center of the Earth and is primarily due to an attraction between the body and the Earth.
Mathematically, it is given by:
𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔
where 𝑚 is the mass of the body, and 𝑔 is the acceleration due to gravity.
In vector notation, the weight of the of the body is given by:
⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑚𝑔
𝑊
⃗⃗ )
4.2.2 Normal force (𝑵

Consider a block of weight 𝑊 ⃗⃗⃗ placed on a table as shown in the figure 4.2. When this block rests
a table, the table exerts an upward force (reaction), called Normal force (𝑁 ⃗ ). The normal force
prevents the block from falling through the table, and can have any value up to the point of
breaking the table.

⃗ perpendicular to the table

Figure 4.2 A block resting on a table experiences a normal force 𝑁
Therefore, we conclude that
⃗⃗⃗ = −𝑁
𝑊 ⃗

and
⃗⃗⃗ | = |𝑁
|𝑊 ⃗|

⃗)
4.2.3 Tension (𝑻
When a rope (or a cord, cable, etc) is attached to a body and pulled, the rope is said to be in tension.
The rope’s function is to transfer force between two bodies. The tension in the rope is defined as
the force that the rope exerts on the body. A rope is considered to be massless (i.e., its mass is

COMPILED BY MULENGA MUMA 4

negligible compared to the body’s mass) and non-stretchable. This force is denoted usually by the
symbol 𝑇⃗ , see figure 4.3.

Figure 4.3 When a rope is under the tension, it pulls the block and the hand with a force of
magnitude T
⃗)
4.2.4 Friction (𝒇

If we slide or try to slide a body over a surface the motion is resisted by a bonding between the
body and the surface. This resistance is represented by a single force and is called friction. Friction
is the force that opposes the relative sliding motion of two surfaces in contact with one another.
The force of friction is parallel to the surface and opposite to the direction of intended motion.
There are normally two types of friction: Static friction and kinetic friction.
⃗⃗⃗⃗𝒔 )
(a) Static friction (𝒇

It is the force of friction between two surfaces, before relative motion actually starts. Its magnitude
is always equal to the external force which tends to cause relative motion. As the external force
which tries to produce relative motion increases, the force of friction also increases, till relative
motion just starts.

Figure 4.4 The block resting on the horizontal table. The forces acting on the bock are weight,
normal, applied force and static friction
The laws of static friction are:
➢ The magnitude of static friction is independent of the area.
➢ The magnitude of static friction is directly proportional to the normal force (reaction). That is:
𝑓𝑠 ∝ 𝑁
𝑓𝑠 = 𝑘𝑁
where 𝑘 is the proportionality constant which is called the coefficient of static friction which
is denoted by 𝜇𝑠 . Then:

COMPILED BY MULENGA MUMA 5

 𝑓𝑠 = 𝜇𝑠 𝑁
⃗⃗⃗⃗𝒌 )
(b) Kinetic friction (𝒇

Kinetic friction between two surfaces in contact is the force of friction which calls into play when
there is relative motion between the surfaces. Kinetic friction is always less than static friction.

Figure 4.5 The block moving on the horizontal table. The forces acting on the bock are weight,
normal, applied force and kinetic friction
The laws of kinetic friction are:
➢ The kinetic friction has a constant value which depends on the nature of the two surfaces in
contact.
➢ The kinetic friction is directly proportional the normal force. That is
𝑓𝑘 ∝ 𝑁
𝑓𝑘 = 𝑘𝑁
where 𝑘 is the proportionality constant which is called the coefficient of kinetic friction which
is denoted by 𝜇𝑘 . Then:
𝑓𝑘 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑁
Since 𝑓𝑘 < 𝑓𝑠 , then 𝜇𝑘 < 𝜇𝑠
The coefficients of static and kinetic friction depend on the two surfaces in contact.

(c) Graph between applied force and force of friction

Figure 4.6 shows the graph of the variation of the force of friction with the applied force.

Figure 4.6 The graph of the variation of the force of friction with the applied force

COMPILED BY MULENGA MUMA 6

(d) Some approximated values of coefficients 𝝁𝒔 and 𝝁𝒌
The values of the dimensionless coefficients 𝜇𝑠 and 𝜇𝑘 depend on the nature of the surfaces, not
on their areas. Typical values of the coefficients lie in the range 0.05 ≤ 𝜇 ≤ 1.5. Table 4.1 lists
some reported values.

Table 4.1 Some approximate values of coefficients of friction

4.3 Motion of a body in a lift

Consider a body of mass m resting on a lift as shown in figure 4.7. The forces acting on the body
are:
➢ The weight mg of the body acting vertically downwards.
➢ The reaction N acting vertically upwards.
𝑁

𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔
Figure 4.7 A body mass m on a lift. The forces acting on the body are weight mg acting vertically
downwards and reaction N acting vertically upwards

COMPILED BY MULENGA MUMA 7

We have the following conditions:
4.3.1 Lift at rest
When the lift is stationary, by Newton’s second of motion, the net force is given by:

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑚𝑎

Since 𝑎 = 0, then:
𝑁 − 𝑚𝑔 = 0
𝑁 = 𝑚𝑔
In this case, the normal force (apparent weight) equals the actual weight of the body.
4.3.2 Lift moving upward or downward with constant velocity
When the lift is moving either up or down with constant velocity, by Newton’s second of motion,
the net force is given by:

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑚𝑎

Since 𝑎 = 0, then:
𝑁 − 𝑚𝑔 = 0
𝑁 = 𝑚𝑔
In this case, the normal force (apparent weight) equals the actual weight of the body.
4.3.3 Lift moving upward with constant acceleration a
When the lift moves up with a constant acceleration a, by Newton’s second of motion, the net
force is given by:

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑚𝑎

𝑁 − 𝑚𝑔 = 𝑚𝑎
𝑁 = 𝑚𝑔 + 𝑚𝑎 = 𝑚(𝑔 + 𝑎)
In this case, the normal force (apparent weight) is greater than the actual weight of the body.
4.3.4 Lift moving downward with constant acceleration a
When the lift moves down with a constant acceleration a, by Newton’s second of motion, the net
force is given by:

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑚𝑎

COMPILED BY MULENGA MUMA 8

 𝑚𝑔 − 𝑁 = 𝑚𝑎
𝑁 = 𝑚𝑔 − 𝑚𝑎 = 𝑚(𝑔 − 𝑎)
In this case, the normal force (apparent weight) is less than the actual weight of the body
4.3.5 Lift moving upward with constant acceleration 𝒂 = 𝒈
When the lift moves up with a constant acceleration 𝑎 = 𝑔, by Newton’s second of motion, the
net force is given by:

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑚𝑎

𝑁 − 𝑚𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔
𝑁 = 𝑚𝑔 + 𝑚𝑔 = 2𝑚𝑔
In this case, the normal force (apparent weight) is twice the actual weight of the body.
4.3.6 Lift moving downward with constant acceleration 𝒂 = 𝒈
When the lift moves down with a constant acceleration 𝑎 = 𝑔, by Newton’s second of motion, the
net force is given by:

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑚𝑎

𝑚𝑔 − 𝑁 = 𝑚𝑔
𝑁 = 𝑚𝑔 − 𝑚𝑔 = 0
In this case, the normal force (apparent weight) equals zero. In other words, there is no reaction,
and as such the body is apparently weightless.
If the body is suspended from a spring balance attached to the ceiling of a lift which is moving up
or down with acceleration 𝑎, there is an apparent change in the reading.
Apparent weight (𝑁) = 𝑚(𝑔 ± 𝑎)

4.4. Forces in equilibrium

Forces not only pull or push but also have a turning effect or moment about an axis, e.g. forces
that keep bridges stationary and also leaning against the wall on a ladder.
An object is said to be in equilibrium if it is not accelerating under the action of concurrent
(coplanar) forces.
4.4.1 Conditions for equilibrium
The conditions for equilibrium of a rigid body under the action of coplanar forces are as follows:

COMPILED BY MULENGA MUMA 9

(1) The vector sum of the external forces on the rigid body must be zero.
∑𝐹 = 0
In horizontal direction, we have:
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0
And in the vertical direction, we have:
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0
When this condition is satisfied we say that the body is in translational equilibrium (𝑎 = 0).
(2) The sum of external torques on the rigid body be equal to zero.
∑𝜏 = 0
When this condition is satisfied we say that the body is in rotational equilibrium (𝛼 = 0).
4.4.2 Moments and equilibrium
The magnitude of the moment (torque) of a force F about a fixed point O, is defined as the product
of the force F and the perpendicular distance r from O to the line of action of a force.
Moment (or torque) = Force × perpendicular distance from axis
𝜏 = 𝐹𝑟
The S.I unit of torque is N.m
F

O
Figure 4.8 Moment (or torque) 𝜏 of the force = Force F × perpendicular distance r from O to the
line of action of a force
The resultant of a number of forces in equilibrium is zero. So, the moment of the resultant about
any point is zero. It therefore follows that the algebraic sum of the moments of all about any point
is zero when those forces are in equilibrium. This means that the total clockwise moment of the
forces about any point equals the total anticlockwise moment of the forces about the same point.
This is known as the principle of moments.

∑↷𝜏=∑↶𝜏

COMPILED BY MULENGA MUMA 10

4.4.3 Couple and its torque
Two equal and opposite forces whose lines of action do not coincide are said to form a couple.
The two forces always have a turning effect or moment, called a torque given by:
Moment (or torque) = One force × perpendicular distance between forces

Figure 4.9 The moment of a couple is the product of one of the forces F and the arm of the couple
𝑎
4.4.4 Centre of gravity
It has been established, since long, that every particle of the body is attracted by the earth towards
its centre. The force of attraction, which is proportional to the mass of the particle, acts vertically
downwards and is known as the weight of the body. As the distance between different particles of
the body and the centre of the earth is the same, therefore these forces may be taken to act along
parallel lines.
A point may be found out in a body, through which the resultant of all such parallel forces act.
This point, through which the whole weight of the body acts, irrespective of its position, is known
as the centre of gravity.

EXERCISES
1. The value of g at the surface of the Earth is 9.8 N/kg and on the surface of Venus the magnitude
of g is 8.6N/kg. A cosmonaut has a weight of 588 N on the surface of the Earth, what will be
her mass and weight on the surface of Venus? [m=60kg; W=516N]
2. A person in a kayak starts paddling, and it accelerates from 0 to 0.8 mile/hour in a distance of
0.8km. If the combined mass of the person and the kayak is 80kg, what is the magnitude of the
net force acting on the kayak? [𝟔. 𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝑵]
3. A tension of 6 kN is experienced by the elevator cable of an elevator moving upwards. If the
elevator starts from rest and attains a speed of 4 m/s in 2 seconds, what is the mass of the
elevator? [508 kg]

COMPILED BY MULENGA MUMA 11

4. An elevator is moving with an acceleration of 2.5 m/s2. Find the mass of a 80kg man in the
elevator if the elevator is
(a) moving up. [100kg]
(b) moving down. [60kg]
5. A rocket of mass 5 × 104 kg is in flight. Its thrust is directed at an angle of 60 degrees above
the horizontal and has a magnitude of 7 × 105 N. Find the magnitude and direction of the
rocket’s acceleration. Give the direction as an angle above the horizontal. [7 m/s2; 𝟏𝟖°]
6. A bullet of mass 10 g moving with velocity 100 m/s strikes a wooden plank of thickness 50
cm, emerges with a velocity 30 m/s. Find the resistance offered by the plank, assuming it
uniform. [91 N]
7. A driver of a three-wheeler moving with a speed of 36 km/h sees a child standing in the middle
of the road and brings his vehicle to rest in 4 seconds just in time to save the child. What is the
average retarding force on the vehicle? The mass of the three-wheeler and the driver is 465 kg.
[1162.5 N]
8. A 10g object is moving in a plane. The x and y coordinates of the object are given by
x(t)=2t3−t2 and y(t)=4t3+2t2. Find the net force acting on the object at t=2s. [0.56N]
9. Two masses of 5 kg and 3 kg are suspended with help of massless inextensible string as shown
in figure 4.10. Calculate the tensions 𝑇1 and 𝑇2 when the system is going upwards with
acceleration 2 m/s2. [𝑻𝟏 = 𝟗𝟒. 𝟒 𝑵; 𝑻𝟏 = 𝟑𝟓. 𝟒 𝑵]

Figure 4.10 See exercise 9

10. A car of mass 1 tone is brought to rest from a speed of 40 m/s in a distance of 80 m. Find the
braking force of the car assuming that it is constant and that there is a constant resistance to
motion of 100 N. [9900 N]

COMPILED BY MULENGA MUMA 12

11. A car is moving along a level road at a speed of 72 km/h. Find the shortest distance in which
the car can be stopped by switching off the engine. Coefficient of kinetic friction between the
road and the tyre is 0.4. Use g=10 m/s2. [50 m]
12. A force of 98 N is just required to move a mass of 45 kg on a rough horizontal surface. Find
the coefficient of friction and the angle of friction. [0.22; 12.40]
13. A particle of mass 5 kg slides down a smooth plane inclined at 30° to the horizontal. Find the
acceleration of the particle and the reaction between the particle and the plane.
𝟏 𝟓𝒈√𝟑
[𝒂 = 𝟐 𝒈 𝒎𝒔−𝟐 ; 𝑹 = 𝑵]
𝟐

14. A particle of mass 5 kg is pulled along a rough horizontal surface by a string which is inclined
1
at 60° to the horizontal. If the acceleration of the particle is 3 𝑔 𝑚𝑠 −2 and the coefficient of
2
friction between the particle and the plane is , find the tension in the string.
3
[𝑻 = 𝟏𝟎𝒈√𝟑(𝟐 − √𝟑) N]

15. Calculate the force required to pull a train of mass 200 tons up an incline of 5° at a uniform
speed of 72 km/h. Coefficient of kinetic friction = 0.02. [𝟐. 𝟏 × 𝟏𝟎𝟓 𝑵]

16. A hotel guest starts to pull an armchair across a horizontal floor by exerting a force of 91 N
15°above the horizontal. The normal force exerted by the floor on the chair is 221 N up. The
acceleration of the chair is 0.076. Determine the mass of the chair and the coefficient of kinetic
fiction between the chair and the floor. [24.95 kg; 0.39]
17. Calculate the force required to pull a train of mass 200 tons up an incline of 50 at a uniform
speed of 72 km/h. Coefficient of friction = 0.02. [209900 N]
18. A block of mass m1 =4 kg lies on a frictionless inclined plane of angle 𝜃 =30◦. This block is
connected by a cord over a massless, frictionless pulley to a second block of mass m2 =6 kg
hanging vertically, as shown in figure 4.11.
(a) For each block, find the magnitude and direction of its acceleration.
(b)What is the magnitude of the tension in the cord?
(c) Repeat parts (a) and (b) after replacing each block by the other. [(a) For m1, a = 4m/s2
2
up the plane and for m2, a = 4m/s downwards. (b) The magnitude of the tension in both
cords is 36N, (c) For m1, a = 1m/s2 up the plane and for m2, a = 1m/s2 downwards. The
magnitude of the tension in both cords is also 36N]

COMPILED BY MULENGA MUMA 13

 Figure 4.11 See exercise 18

19. A block is at rest on a rough inclined plane of angle 𝜃

(a) When the angle is increased until the block is on the verge of slipping at angle 𝜃 = 𝜃𝐶 , show
that the coefficient of static friction is given by
𝜇𝑆 = tan 𝜃𝐶
(b) If the block is slightly disturbed and moves down with constant speed, find the coefficient
of kinetic friction given that 𝜃 = 27°. [0.5]
20. Three objects are connected on the table as shown in the figure 4.12. The table is rough and
has a coefficient of kinetic friction of 0.35. The objects have masses of 4.00 kg, 1.00 kg, and
2.00 kg, as shown, and the pulleys are frictionless. Draw free-body diagrams of each of the
objects. Determine
(a) the acceleration of each object and their directions.
(b) the tensions in the two cord. [(a) 2.31 m/s/s (b)30.0 N; 24.2 N]

Figure 4.12 See exercise 20

COMPILED BY MULENGA MUMA 14

21. Five forces acting on a particle are in equilibrium. Four of these are 2i+3j, 4i-7j, -5i+4j and i-
j. What is the fifth force? [-2i+j]
22. A force of 15 N is applied perpendicular to the edge of a door 80 cm wide as shown. Find the
moment of the force about the hinge. If this force is applied at an angle 60 0 to the edge of the
same door, as shown in figure 4.13, find the moment of this force. [16 Nm; 10.4 Nm]

Figure 4.13 See exercise 22

23. A uniform plank ABC of weight 30 N and 2 m long is supported at one end A and at a point B
1.4 m from A as shown in figure 4.14. Find the maximum weight W, that can be placed at C,
so that the plank does not topple. [20 N]

Figure 4.14 See exercise 23

24. A rod AB 2.5 m long is supported at A and B. The rod is carrying a point load of 5 kN at a
distance of 1 m from A. What are the reactions at A and B? [2 kN;3 kN]
25. A painter weighing 900N stands on a massless plank 5m long that is supported at each end by
a step ladder. If he stands 1m from one end of the plank, what force is exerted by each step
ladder? [F1=180N; F2=720N]
26. A beam AB of length 1 m is supported horizontally at A and B. A weight of 500 N is attached
at C. If the support at A cannot bear a pressure more than 300 N, find the distance of C from
A, when the support A is about to fail. [0.4 m]

COMPILED BY MULENGA MUMA 15

27. Two like parallel forces of 10 N and 30 N act at the ends of a rod 200 mm long. Find the
magnitude of the resultant force and the point where it acts. [40 N; 150 mm]
28. Find the magnitude of two like parallel forces acting at a distance of 240 mm, whose resultant
is 200 N and its line of action is at a distance of 60 mm from one of the forces.
[50 N; 150 N]
29. A block of mass m =21 kg hangs from three cords as shown in figure 4.15. Taking sin 𝜃 = 4/5,
cos 𝜃 =3/5, sin 𝜙 =5/13, and cos 𝜙 =12/13, find the tensions in the three cords. [𝑻𝟏 =
𝟐𝟏𝟎 𝑵; 𝑻𝟐 = 𝟏𝟑𝟎 𝑵; 𝑻𝟑 = 𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝑵]

Figure 4.15 See exercise 29

30. An electric light fixture weighing 15 N hangs from a point C, by two strings Ac and BC. The
string AC is inclined at 60 0 to the horizontal and BC at 45 0 to the vertical as shown in figure
4.16. Determine the forces in strings AC and BC. [TAC=10.98 N; TBC=7.76 N]

Figure 4.16 See exercise 30

COMPILED BY MULENGA MUMA 16

31. A light string ABCDE whose extremity A is fixed, has weights W1 and W2 attached to it at B
and C. It passes round a small smooth peg at D carrying a weight of 300 N at the free end E as
shown in figure 4.17. If the system is in equilibrium, find the
(i) tensions in the portion AB, BC and CD. [TAB=173.2 N; TBC=150 N; TCD=300 N]
(ii) magnitudes of W1 and W2. [W1=86.6 N; W2=259.8 N]

Figure 4.17 See exercise 31

32. A small object of weight 10 N rests in equilibrium on a rough plane inclined at 30° to the
horizontal. Calculate the magnitude of the frictional force. Hence, find the coefficient of
√𝟑
friction [𝟓 𝑵; 𝟑 ]
33. A uniform ladder rests against a smooth vertical wall and on a rough horizontal ground. The
weight of the ladder is 10 N and it is just about to slip when inclined 30 0 to the vertical.
Calculate the coefficient of friction. [0.289]
34. A uniform ladder of mass m rests against a frictionless vertical wall at an angle of 60°. The
lower end rests on a flat surface where the coefficient of static friction is 𝜇𝑆 = 0.4. A student
with mass M=2m attempts to climb the ladder. What fraction of the length L of the ladder will
the student have reached when the ladder begins to slip? [0.789]
35. A ladder rests in limiting equilibrium against a rough vertical wall and with its foot on rough
1
horizontal ground, the coefficient of friction at both points of contact being 2. The ladder is
uniform and weighs 300 N. Find the angle 𝜃 which the ladder makes with the horizontal
ground. Find also the normal reactions at the wall and the ground. [𝟑𝟔. 𝟗°; 120 N;240 N]

COMPILED BY MULENGA MUMA 17