P-weight blocks D and E are connected by the rope which passes through pulley B and are supported by the isorectangular prism articulated to the ground at its vertex A, while vertex C is attached to the vertical cord fixed to the ground. If the coefficient of friction between the prism and the blocks is 0.4; determine the maximum angle that measures the inclination of the AC face with respect to the horizontal so that the system remains in equilibrium.

21.8°

Explanation:

Let's call θ the angle between BC and the horizontal.

Draw a free body diagram for each block.

There are 4 forces acting on block D:

Weight force P pulling down,

Normal force N₁ pushing perpendicular to AB,

Friction force N₁μ pushing parallel up AB,

and tension force T pushing parallel up AB.

There are 4 forces acting on block E:

Weight force P pulling down,

Normal force N₂ pushing perpendicular to BC,

Friction force N₂μ pushing parallel to BC,

and tension force T pulling parallel to BC.

Sum of forces on D in the perpendicular direction:

∑F = ma

N₁ − P sin θ = 0

N₁ = P sin θ

Sum of forces on D in the parallel direction:

∑F = ma

T + N₁μ − P cos θ = 0

T = P cos θ − N₁μ

T = P cos θ − P sin θ μ

T = P (cos θ − sin θ μ)

Sum of forces on E in the perpendicular direction:

∑F = ma

N₂ − P cos θ = 0

N₂ = P cos θ

Sum of forces on E in the parallel direction:

∑F = ma

N₂μ + P sin θ − T = 0

T = N₂μ + P sin θ

T = P cos θ μ + P sin θ

T = P (cos θ μ + sin θ)

Set equal:

P (cos θ − sin θ μ) = P (cos θ μ + sin θ)

cos θ − sin θ μ = cos θ μ + sin θ

1 − tan θ μ = μ + tan θ

1 − μ = tan θ μ + tan θ

1 − μ = tan θ (μ + 1)

tan θ = (1 − μ) / (1 + μ)

Plug in values:

tan θ = (1 − 0.4) / (1 + 0.4)

θ = 23.2°

∠BCA = 45°, so the angle of AC relative to the horizontal is 45° − 23.2° = 21.8°.

measuring things 1 litre of water