Tension in String One of 5 kg Mass at 45 Degree Angle

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the tension in a string attached to a 5 kg mass, with one string positioned at a 45-degree angle and the other horizontal. Participants are exploring the forces acting on the mass and how to resolve them to find the tension in the angled string.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the role of the angled string in counteracting the weight of the mass and question the derivation of the tension formula involving sqrt(2). There are attempts to resolve the forces both horizontally and vertically, with some participants providing calculations for the tensions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants confirming calculations and engaging in verification of the results. Some guidance has been offered regarding the equations of equilibrium, but there is no explicit consensus on the final values or methods used.

Contextual Notes

Participants are preparing for a mathematics-mechanics exam, which may influence their approach and the level of detail in their reasoning. There is an emphasis on understanding the relationships between the forces rather than simply calculating values.

UrbanXrisis
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Two strings are attached to a 5 kg mass. String one is at a 45 degree angle and the other is horizontal. What is the tension in string one?
 
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From my reading of this, String one is the only one capable of counteracting the weight of the mass (since it alone has a vertical component).

The tension in string one (i.e magnitude of tensile force) should therefore be:
sqrt(2)*mg.
 
where did the sqrt(2) come from?

your equation works but how did you get it?
 
Assume that string one goes along the line (-cos(45),sin(45)), wheras string two is along the horizontal (1,0) (The mass itself is position at the origin).

(Clearly, the only necessary requirement is that the tensile force in string one has a component in the positive vertical component, in order to balance the weight of the mass).
 
T1 = 63.9N
T2 = 49N

I just resolved horizontally and vertically
T1sin45 = 5G
Simplification gives T1 = 63.9N

Calculating T2 is optional, but i got 49N.
 
To be sure, is the above correct? I'm revising for my mathematics - mechanics exam and that seems to be similar to a few of the questions.
 
Yes that's correct KnowledgeIsPower.

ΣFx = 0 = T2 - T1cos 45o
ΣFy = 0 = T1sin 45o - mg

From the second equation you can find T1, and the first will give you T2.
 

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