MHB Can You Solve for Tension and Force in Static Equilibrium for a Boom?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on solving for tension and force in a static equilibrium scenario involving a boom and a hanging weight. Participants emphasize the importance of understanding the setup, particularly the role of angles and trigonometry in decomposing forces. They suggest starting with rotational equilibrium about the hinge and then applying equations for translational equilibrium in both vertical and horizontal directions. Clarification on the diagram and the reaction force vector at the hinge is also highlighted as crucial for solving the problem. Engaging with responses is encouraged to track progress on the problem-solving process.
cbarker1
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
345
Reaction score
23
The uniform boom shown below weighs 668 N, and the object hanging from its right end weighs 386 N. The boom is supported by a light cable and by a hinge at the wall.

Calculate the tension in the cable and the force by the hinge on the boom (both in N). (Enter the magnitudes.)

Tension in the cable Nforce by the hinge N

View attachment 7603

Need help setting up the problem correctly.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Mathematics news on Phys.org
I'm not real clear on your drawing. Is the "boom" the horizontal piece that doesn't seem to attach?

Typically, you use the available angles and some trigonometry to decompose to the vertical and horizontal pieces and use this information to understand the state of equilibrium. Can you find a Stationary Point, around which such a consideration can be based?
 
Hopefully, the attached diagram is correct ... note the reaction force vector, R , at the hinge is not sketched in since the direction of its y-component is unknown (but it can be determined once the tension, T , is found)

https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/7614

I would start with rotational equilibrium about the hinge ...

$\displaystyle \sum \tau = 0$

... then continue with the two equations for translational equilibrium

$\displaystyle \sum F_y = 0$

$\displaystyle \sum F_x = 0$oh ... how about responding to your threads once in a while to let us know if you solved the problem (or not).
 
Seemingly by some mathematical coincidence, a hexagon of sides 2,2,7,7, 11, and 11 can be inscribed in a circle of radius 7. The other day I saw a math problem on line, which they said came from a Polish Olympiad, where you compute the length x of the 3rd side which is the same as the radius, so that the sides of length 2,x, and 11 are inscribed on the arc of a semi-circle. The law of cosines applied twice gives the answer for x of exactly 7, but the arithmetic is so complex that the...
Is it possible to arrange six pencils such that each one touches the other five? If so, how? This is an adaption of a Martin Gardner puzzle only I changed it from cigarettes to pencils and left out the clues because PF folks don’t need clues. From the book “My Best Mathematical and Logic Puzzles”. Dover, 1994.
Thread 'Imaginary Pythagoras'
I posted this in the Lame Math thread, but it's got me thinking. Is there any validity to this? Or is it really just a mathematical trick? Naively, I see that i2 + plus 12 does equal zero2. But does this have a meaning? I know one can treat the imaginary number line as just another axis like the reals, but does that mean this does represent a triangle in the complex plane with a hypotenuse of length zero? Ibix offered a rendering of the diagram using what I assume is matrix* notation...
Back
Top