Equilibrium of Hanging Bag of Cement: Finding Tensions in Wires

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a bag of cement weighing 300 N that is suspended from three wires, with two wires making specific angles with the horizontal. The context is centered around understanding the equilibrium conditions and calculating the tensions in the wires.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the implications of equilibrium and the role of each wire in supporting the weight. There are attempts to break down the tensions into components and questions about the specific tensions in the wires.

Discussion Status

The discussion has seen some participants offering guidance on breaking down the tensions into components. There is acknowledgment of the tension in wire 3, but uncertainty remains regarding the other two tensions. Some participants have expressed progress in understanding the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating challenges with the concept of tension and equilibrium, indicating a need for clarity on these fundamental principles. The original poster has requested assistance to initiate their understanding of the problem.

Sheneron
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Homework Statement


A bag of cement of weight 300 N hangs from three wires as suggested in Figure P5.18. Two of the wires make angles 1 = 50.0° and 2 = 23.0° with the horizontal. If the system is in equilibrium, find the tensions in the wires.

http://img165.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p524wq2.gif


I am not sure how to do this problem and I am having a lot of problems with tensions in general. If someone could help me start this problem it would be appreciated.
 
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Note that wire 3 supports the cement bag alone; what must the tension in it be?
 
I thought so, in which case it would be 300N. As far as the other two tensions, I am still at a loss.
 
break the other two tensions into components
 
Ok I figured out how to solve it, thanks for the help
 

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