Halliday, Resnick & Walker — Equilibrium and Elasticity: Problem Problem_56

Figure 12.51a shows a uniform ramp between two buildings that allows for motion between the buildings due to strong winds. At its left end, it is hinged to the building wall; at its right end, it has a roller that can roll along the building wall. There is no vertical force on the roller from the building, only a horizontal force with magnitude \(F_h\). The horizontal distance between the buildings is \(D = 4.00 \text{ m}\). The rise of the ramp is \(h = 0.490 \text{ m}\). A man walks across the ramp from the left. Figure 12.51b gives \(F_h\) as a function of the horizontal distance \(x\) of the man from the building at the left. The scale of the \(F_h\) axis is set by \(a = 20 \text{ kN}\) and \(b = 25 \text{ kN}\). What are the masses of (a) the ramp and (b) the man?