Question 01/05

ROPE BETWEEN INCLINES

A rope rests on two platforms which are both inclined at an angle θ (which you are free to pick), as shown. The rope has uniform mass density, and its coeffciient of friction with the platforms is 1. The system has left-right symmetry. What is the largest possible fraction of the rope that does not touch the platforms? What angle θ allows this maximum value?

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