Recent content by dang3r

You are correct. The overall tension takes into account both the X and y component of tension, so you are right in saying the non-zero X component adds tension. The equation for tension follow: |T|=(Tx^2+Ty^2)^0.5 describes this where |T| = magnitude of tension and Tx and Ty are its...

I think you are over-complicating things a little bit. The question is 'Why is the sum of the two tensions greater than the weight of the lamp fixture?' You understand that for the lamp to have a net force of 0 in the Y and X directions, the sum of all forces in those directions is 0...

Hint: Think about how the tension in each cable is distributed with respect to your coordinate system. We know the direction gravity acts in, but what about the tensions? How is it distributed in the X and Y directions? Drawing out a FBD will help!