Chapter 8 P30

Physics 210 Problems - My Solutions

Dr. Hulan E. Jack Jr.

Serway, Faughn and Vuille: College Physics 8th Edition , Thomson Brooks/Cole, Vol I(ISBN #) 978-049511374-3

THEPROBLEMSTATEMENT
Ch 8 P30. . One end of a uniform 4.0-m long rod of weight w is supported by a cable. The other
end rests against a wall, where it is held by friction. (See Fig.
P8.30.) The coefficient of static friction between the wall and the
rod is s = 0.50. Determine the minimum distance x from point A
at which an additional weight w (the same as the weight of the
rod) can be hung without causing the rod to slip at point A.

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Physics 210 Problems - My Solutions

Dr. Hulan E. Jack Jr.
Ch 8 P30. . One end of a uniform 4.0-m long rod of weight w is supported by a cable. The other
end rests against a wall, where it is held by friction. (See Fig. P8.30.) The
coefficient of static friction between the wall and the rod is s = 0.50.
Determine the minimum distance x from point A at which an additional
weight w (the same as the weight of the rod) can be hung without causing the
rod to slip at point A.

BRAINSTORMING-Definitions, concepts , principles and Discussion

Given: Lrod = L= 4.0 m, = 37o , ms = 0.50

Find For any fixed wrod = wload = w, find

minimum x so that rod does not slip on wall .

Rh

For friction against the wall,

the Normal N = Rv and Friction Force F = Rh .
Since F = sN , then Rh = s Rv .

Rv
x

F=0 . (vector equation)

Fv = 0, vertical direction.
Fh =0, horizontal direction.

O =0. Sum of torques about axis O equals 0.

(a) A force passing through an axis has no
torque about that axis. (w has not torque about
OB, same for Tsin about OD .)
(b) Four axes are shown, one through each
force, OA, OB, OC and OD.
So the axis will be chosen later.

L=Lrod

wrod

Note:R is Reactionof wall

F=sN
OA

N
x

OB

Tsin

OC

L/2
w

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Tcos

L/2

The system is in static equilibrium:

(A)

Tsin

wrod

OD

Tcos

L=Lrod

Physics 210 Problems - My Solutions

Dr. Hulan E. Jack Jr.
Ch 8 P30. . One end of a uniform 4.0-m long rod of weight w is supported by a cable. The other
end rests against a wall, where it is held by friction. (See Fig. P8.30.) The
coefficient of static friction between the wall and the rod is s = 0.50.
Determine the minimum distance x from point A at which an additional
weight w (the same as the weight of the rod) can be hung without causing the
rod to slip at point A.

Basic Solution

Given: Lrod = L= 4.0 m, = 37o , ms = 0.50

Find For any fixed wrod = wload = w, find minimum x so that rod does not slip on wall .
F=0 .
(+direction->) Fh =0, (horizontal)
N Tcos =0
So,
N = Tcos

F=sN
(1)
(1a)

(+direction UP) Fv = 0, (vertical)

-w-wrod + sN + Tsin = 0.
(2)
But wrod = wload = w, so
-2w + sN + Tsin = 0.
(2a)
So, 2w = + sN + Tsin
From (1a) N= Tcosgives

2ws Tcos+ Tsin=scos+sin

Hence,

T = 2w /scos+sin

OA

N
x

OB

L/2
w

Tsin

OC

OD

Tcos

L=Lrod

wrod

O =0. Sum of torques about axis O equals 0.

Choosing axis O. SEE (B) IN BRAINSTORMING.
From Eq. (3) we know w in terms of T. So taking torques about OA is a good choice AND none
of unknown wall forces have torques about this axis.
(4)
( ccw + direction) OA =0. LTsin wL/2 - wx =0
Using Eq.(4) for T gives
L(2w sin/scos+sin wL/2 - wx =0
Factoring out w gives
w[ L(2 sin/scos+sin L/2 x] =0
Hence,
x = L(2 sin/scos+sin L/2 = L[(2 sin/scos+sin ]. (5)
= L[(2 sin37o/scos37o+sin37o 0.5] ,
= 4.0m[(2* 0.3/*0.4+0.3 0.5] = 4.0m [0.6/(0.5 -0.5]
=4.0[1.2 0.5] m =4.0*0.7m = 2.8 m

Eq.(5) allows us to see the influence of L, s and on the solution, or of s

and on x/L. For example if s 0.5, x=0 when = 9.46o .

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