Observations of a falling ladder

Abstract

Experimental measurements are presented on a falling ladder, supported at the top end by a vertical wall and at the bottom end by a horizontal floor. The results are compared with theoretical calculations assuming different coefficients of sliding friction with the wall and the floor. The coefficients were measured independently by allowing the ladder to fall on each surface without support at the top end. The problem can be simplified for students using approximate solutions, and is closely analogous to the case of a rod or pencil that falls from a near vertical position without a restraining wall.