Chopper towing sensor, what is the tension?

[broginator]

Homework Statement

A helicopter is flying at a constant altitude towing an airborn laser at 129kg. Both the chopper and the sensor move only horizontaly and have a acceleration of magnitude 2,84 m/s2. ignoring air restitance find the tension on the cable towing the sensor.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

T= mg + ma

T=129kg x 9,8 m/s2 + 129kg x 2,84 m/s2.
this equation only work if the chopper were flying vertical.
The right answer is 130N but need to know how to get there.

 

[Suraj M]

Try drawing a diagram and identify the forces on the "laser"

 

[haruspex]

T= mg + ma

That is true as a vector equation, but if you mean as scalars then you have to worry about direction. Which way is the acceleration? Do you know how to add vectors?

 

[broginator]

the acceleration is horizontal so it is orthogonal. no don't know how to ad vetors, we are having 1 chapter a day and my math skills are shitty so can't quite hold on the pace..

 

[haruspex]

the acceleration is horizontal so it is orthogonal. no don't know how to ad vetors, we are having 1 chapter a day and my math skills are shitty so can't quite hold on the pace..

It's just like adding displacements that need not be in the same straight line. If you go 1m N then 2m E (not too near the poles!) how far are you from your start point?

 

[Suraj M]

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