Calculating force of the femur on the knee cap.

[meaganl]

Homework Statement

The diagram of the leg shows the femur (1) and tibia (2). The quadriceps muscle (3) applies a force to the lower leg via a tendon (4) that is embedded with the kneecap (5). If the force applied by the muscle to the tendon is FM = 420 N, what is the force of the femur on the kneecap? A simplified model of the leg is shown next to the diagram. The leg bones are represented by two beams attached by a pin. The tendon is modeled by a rope and the kneecap acts like a pulley. The tendon above the kneecap makes an angle θ1 = 23° with respect to the vertical, and the portion of the tendon below the kneecap makes an angle of θ2 = 24° with respect to the vertical. Enter the x component, followed by the y component.

Homework Equations

fnet=ma

The Attempt at a Solution

I tried:

Fx= max
T1x + T2x + Ffemurx=0
-240sin23 -240sin24 + Ffemur= 0
-93.78 - 97.62 + Ffemur=0
Ffemur= 191.4N

Fy=may
T1y + T2y + Ffemury=0
240cos23 - 240cos24 + Ffemury=0
220.92 - 219.25 + Ffemury=0
Ffemury= -1.67N

I didn't get the right answer..

please help!

 

[ehild]

Supposed that the tension is the same all along the tendon, and x means horizontal , y means vertical component of force, your solution looks correct. Try to use less significant digits.

ehild