Geek Challenge: "What's your angle Equilibrium?"

A uniform bar has identical frictionless wheels on each end. The distance between the axle centers is 1m. The bar is suspended by a rope attached to the lower axle and to a fixed point offset from the wall a distance that equals the wheel radius. The length from the attachment point to the axle center is 1.5m.

Neglecting the weight of the rope, at what angle (a) will the system rest at equilibrium?

A:  a ≈ 30 degrees
B:  a ≈ 45 degrees
C:  a ≈ 50 degrees
D:  a ≈ 60 degrees

Extra credit:  What happens if the rope length is 2m?

Submit your responses to geekchallenge@dmcinfo.com.