This study is about the dynamics of a sliding ladder leaning against a vertical wall. The results
are understood by considering the motion divided in two parts: (i) for ##IMG##
[http://ej.iop.org/images/0031-9120/50/3/329/ped510699ieqn001.gif] {$0leq tleq {{t}_{s}}$} with
one degree of freedom, and (ii) for ##IMG##
[http://ej.iop.org/images/0031-9120/50/3/329/ped510699ieqn002.gif] {$t>{{t}_{s}}$} with two degrees
of freedom, where the separation is determined by the instance ##IMG##
[http://ej.iop.org/images/0031-9120/50/3/329/ped510699ieqn003.gif] {${{t}_{s}},$} when the ladder
loses its contact with the wall. The observed experimental details are explained by appealing a
simple model based on elementary notions of mechanics. We emphasize some features, such as a maximum
of the x component of the velocity and of the acceleration of the centre of mass in the first part,
and a minimum of the normal react…