Chapter 12, Problem 30P

(III) A 56.0-kg person stands 2.0 m from the bottom of the stepladder shown in Fig. 12–65. Determine (a) the tension in the horizontal tie rod, which is halfway up the ladder, (b) the normal force the ground exerts on each side of the ladder, and (c) the force (magnitude and direction) that the left side of the ladder exerts on the right side at the hinge on the top. Ignore the mass of the ladder and assume the ground is frictionless. [Hint: Consider free-body diagrams for each section of the ladder.]

FIGURE 12–65

Problem 28.