Question

A painter climbs a ladder. Is the ladder more likely to slip when the painter is near the bottom or near the top?

a) Near the bottom
b) Near the top
c) Equally likely at any position
d) Depends on the ladder material

Answer 1

The ladder is more likely to slip when the painter is near the top due to the higher center of gravity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ladder is more likely to slip when the painter is near the top.

When the painter is near the top of the ladder, the center of gravity of the ladder-painter system is higher, making it more unstable and prone to tipping over. As the painter climbs higher, the ladder becomes increasingly top-heavy, increasing the risk of slippage and tipping.

On the other hand, when the painter is near the bottom, the center of gravity of the system is lower, providing more stability and reducing the risk of the ladder slipping.