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As shown in Figure the two sides of a step ladder $BA$ and $CA$ are $1.6 m$ long and hinged at $A$. A rope $DE, 0.5 \;m$ is tied half way up. A weight $40\;kg$ is suspended from a point $F , 1.2\; m$ from $B$ along the ladder $BA$. Assuming the floor to be frictionless and neglecting the wetght of the ladder. find the tension in the rope and forces exerted by the floor on the ladder. (Take $g=9.8 \;m / s ^{2}$ )

Solution

$N_{ B }=$ Force exerted on the ladder by the floor point $B$
$N_{ C }=$ Force exerted on the ladder by the floor point $C$
$T=$ Tension in the rope
$BA = CA =1.6 m$
$DE =0.5 m$
$BF =1.2 m$
Mass of the weight, $m=40 kg$
Draw a perpendicular from A on the floor $BC$. This intersects $DE$ at mid-point $H$.
$\triangle ABI$ and $\triangle AIC$ are similar
$BI = IC$
Hence, $I$ is the mid-point of $BC$.
$DE \| BC$
$BC =2 \times DE =1 m AF =$
$BA – BF =0.4 m \ldots(i)$
$D$ is the mid-point of $AB$.
Hence, we can write:
$A D=\frac{1}{2} \times B A=0.8 m \ldots(ii)$
Using equations $(i)$ and $(i i),$ we get:
$FE =0.4 m$
Hence, $F$ is the mid-point of $AD$.
$FG$ $\|$ $DH$ and $F$ is the mid-point of $AD$. Hence, $G$ will also be the mid-point of $AH$.
$\triangle AFG$ and $\triangle ADH$ are similar
$\therefore \frac{ FG }{ DH }=\frac{ AF }{ AD }$
$\frac{ FG }{ DH }=\frac{0.4}{0.8}=\frac{1}{2}$
$FG =\frac{1}{2} DH$
$=\frac{1}{2} \times 0.25=0.125 m$
In $\triangle ADH$ :
$AH =\sqrt{ AD ^{2}- DH ^{2}}$
$=\sqrt{(0.8)^{2}-(0.25)^{2}}=0.76 m$
For translational equilibrium of the ladder, the upward force should be equal to the downward force.
$N_{ c }+N_{ B }=m g=392 \ldots(\text {iii})$
For rotational equilibrium of the ladder, the net moment about $A$ is $=$ $-N_{ B } \times Bl +m g \times FG +N_{ C } \times Cl +T \times AG -T \times AG =0$
$-N_{ n } \times 0.5+40 \times 9.8 \times 0.125+N_{ c } \times(0.5)=0$
$\left(N_{ C }-N_{ B }\right) \times 0.5=49$
$N_{c}-N_{B}=98\dots(iv)$
Adding equations $(iii)$ and $(iv)$, we get
$N_{ c }=245 N$
$N_{ n }=147 N$
For rotational equilibrium of the side $AB$, consider the moment about $A$. $-N_{ n } \times BI +m g \times FG +T \times AG =0$
$-245 \times 0.5+40+9.8 \times 0.125+T \times 0.76=0$
$0.76 T=122.5-49$
$\therefore T=96.7 N$