Calculate Tension: Find T in A & B Cords

[Jim4592]

Homework Statement

All i was given on the problem was find the tension in each cord in the figure below.

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/6417/physicsproblemua3.th.jpg

Homework Equations

Calculate the tension in each cord below.

The Attempt at a Solution

T(C) = W

I know you have to use trigonometry to find the tension in A & B, but without any numbers being given i can't figure anything out.

 

[Jim4592]

sorry about the image, but it was the only way i could include the diagram. You are able to click it to make it bigger

 

[LowlyPion]

You have enough to solve it in terms of W.

Evaluate the vector components in the x,y direction.

They yield 2 equations in T1 and T2. (In terms of W that is.)

 

[Jim4592]

T_c = w

B_y = Sin(45)*B

A_y = Sin(30)*A

Is that all you would have to do to solve the problem?

 

[LowlyPion]

That would be a no.

Since the system is static the sum of the y components of the tensions = W
And since it is balanced left to right then the x components add to 0.

 

[Jim4592]

so if B_y+A_y+C = W

and

A_x-B_x = 0

then

A would be equal to: (w-c-sin(45)B) / sin(30)

and B is: (w-c-sin(30)A) / sin(45)

I know there has to be one more part to the solution because even though if you know w, you know c, you still would have one additional variable that's unknown.

 

[drumjunkie]

I don't understand how this website works! =/

 

[LowlyPion]

There is no C.

C is W.

Yielding equations such that

1/2*T1 + (√2/2)*T2 = W

And

(√3/2)*T1 = (√2/2)*T2

 

[LowlyPion]

I don't understand how this website works! =/

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