Question

For a ladder to be considered in position and ready to use, its rungs and steps must be all of the following EXCEPT:

A) Covered with a slip-resistant coating
B) Not more than 14 inches apart
C) Parallel
D) Uniformly spaced

Answer 1

The correct option is B) Not more than 14 inches apart. The ladder's rungs and steps should be slip-resistant, parallel, and uniformly spaced; the 'not more than 14 inches apart' is not relevant in the context of the physics problem provided.

Step-by-step explanation:

For a ladder to be considered in position and ready to use, its rungs and steps should indeed be covered with a slip-resistant coating, parallel, and uniformly spaced for safety. However, specifying that rungs and steps must be 'not more than 14 inches apart' is not a requirement related to the physical setup for the ladder's use regarding physics problems. In the scenario provided, a 5.0 m long ladder with a weight of 400.0 N rests against a wall at an inclination of 53°. To solve for the reaction forces from the floor and wall, one must apply the principles of static equilibrium. Additionally, calculating the coefficient of static friction (μs) at the interface with the floor is essential to determine the frictional force needed to prevent slipping.

In order for a ladder to be considered in position and ready to use, its rungs and steps must be covered with a slip-resistant coating, not more than 14 inches apart, parallel, and uniformly spaced. These requirements ensure that the ladder provides stability and safety for the user.