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Enoch
Oct26-04, 07:18 PM
I have a question asking for the tension in a cable that supports a beam. It asks me to find the answer in kN.

What is kN? I know how to solve the problem, but I have no idea what this unit is.....What is k?

Figure at the bottom in an attachment.

For the record the question is a torque problem, with given mass values for a beam and two weights in kilograms, as well as the theta value (39 degrees) in tension. I'm assuming I multiply gravity times the mass to get the weight, so that this equation works.

Weight1 X (Length/2) + Weight2 X (Length) + Weight3 (aribitrary distance) = Length X Tsin(39)

This equation has proved correct in a quiz, and it has been explained to me by several profs. However, when I try to apply it to find the answer in kN....I get the wrong answer. Am I converting the weight wrong or is it something else? I realllly need help on this guys :).

stunner5000pt
Oct26-04, 07:31 PM
kN is KILO newtons (x10^3) newtons
in most cases something like m, d, D, preceeding N where N is newtons for force, then its usually a smaller unit

Enoch
Oct26-04, 07:35 PM
kN is KILO newtons (x10^3) newtons
in most cases something like m, d, D, preceeding N where N is newtons for force, then its usually a smaller unit

So if I had an answer like 1054.47 N, it would be 1.05447 kN????

stunner5000pt
Oct26-04, 07:35 PM
So if I had an answer like 1054.47 N, it would be 1.05447 kN????
yes thats right

Enoch
Oct26-04, 07:47 PM
Thanks a lot stunner!