Question

What is the free body diagram of the ladder when it is released from rest?

1) The ladder will fall to the ground.
2) The ladder will remain in its initial position.
3) The ladder will slide down the wall.
4) The ladder will rotate about its base.

Answer 1

A ladder, when released from rest, will rotate about its base due to the torque produced by the weight and normal force.

Step-by-step explanation:

A ladder, when released from rest, will rotate about its base. This is because the only forces acting on the ladder are the weight of the ladder and the normal force from the floor. The weight of the ladder acts downward at the center of mass, and the normal force from the floor opposes this force. Since these forces do not line up vertically, a torque is produced, causing the ladder to rotate.