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FMA-2022A-13 · 2022A F = ma (AAPT)

2022 F = ma Exam A — Question 13

Consider a laptop made of two identical uniform plates, each of mass m/2, connected by a hinge. The hinge is locked when the screen makes an angle θ to the vertical, as shown, fixing the angle between the two pieces. θ Assuming the laptop does not slip, what is the minimum force that can be exerted on the top of the laptop, in the plane of the page, to cause the bottom of the laptop to lift off the ground? mg(1 − sin θ) 2 mg(1 + sin θ) (D) 4
Source: Question 13, 2022 F = ma Exam A, © 2022 American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and the U.S. Physics Team. Adapted by PhysicsTrainer: reformatted into a separate question and answer choices for online multiple-choice practice; any shared setup from nearby questions is repeated here. Not affiliated with or endorsed by AAPT or the U.S. Physics Team.