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For this problem on the topic of static equilibrium, we are told that in semicircular arch, which has a radius a and a weight, w stands on level ground, as shown in the figure.
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The arch is uniform in its density and cross -section, and so by symmetry at the top of the arch, each of the legs only exert horizontal forces on each other.
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And we want to find the vertical and horizontal force components, which need to be supplied at the base of each leg in order to support the arch.
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Now, by symmetry, a vertical force must equal half the weight of the arch.
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So each leg provides a vertical force a v of w over 2.
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This keeps the vertical forces in the arch balanced for equilibrium.
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Now, the talk about the base of each leg must be 0, and the weight of each leg exerts a talk about the base equal to the weight of the leg, which is w over 2 times the horizontal distance between...