A uniform ladder of length L and mass m1 rests against a frictionless wall. The ladder makes an angle θ with the horizontal. (a) Find the horizontal and vertical forces the ground exerts on the base of the ladder when a firefighter of mass m2 is a distance x along the ladder from the bottom. (Use any variable or symbol stated above along with the following as necessary: g.)
Fhorizontal =
Fvertical =
(b) If the ladder is just on the verge of slipping when the firefighter is a distance d along the ladder from the bottom, what is the coefficient of static friction between ladder and ground? (Use any variable or symbol stated above along with the following as necessary: g.)
μs =