Equilibrium question on review assignment, quick (I have a test tomorrow).

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around solving an equilibrium problem involving a rod supported by a hinge and a wire. The tension in the wire was calculated to be approximately 62.3 N. The challenge lies in determining the force exerted by the hinge, which was found to be about 63.3 N at an angle of 11 degrees NW. Participants expressed confusion over the direction of the hinge force and the calculations involved, particularly regarding the use of trigonometric functions and the interpretation of compass directions. The conversation highlights the complexity of equilibrium problems in physics and the importance of clear step-by-step explanations.
StaticWaffles
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Homework Statement


A rod of negligible mass is supported by a hinge at the wall by a horizontal wire fastened at a 30 degree angle one-third of the way along the rod. A weight of 12 N hangs from the left end of the rod.

a) Find the tension (T) in the horizontal wire. (T = 62.2 N)
b) Find the magnitude and direction of the force that the hinge exerts on the end of the rod. (FH = 63 N, 11 degrees NW)


Homework Equations


Sum of the Torques clockwise = Sum of the torques counterclockwise (ETcw = ETccw)
Basic trig like sin, cos and tan.



The Attempt at a Solution


I solved a) already.
(Tcos60*1/3d) = (12cos30*d)
(T*0.1666666) = (10.39230485)
T= 62.3 N

(Here is a picture of the diagram; it's not very clear)
http://twitpic.com/bzeo8w
The angle the wire makes with the rod is 30 and the angle the weight makes with the rod is 60.
Question b) however I am completely stuck on, it would be great if someone could explain how to do it step by step.
http://twitpic.com/bzeo9g
I tried to find FHy and FHx however nothing made sense to me and I've spent three hours on this.
 
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StaticWaffles said:

Homework Statement


A rod of negligible mass is supported by a hinge at the wall by a horizontal wire fastened at a 30 degree angle one-third of the way along the rod. A weight of 12 N hangs from the left end of the rod.

a) Find the tension (T) in the horizontal wire. (T = 62.2 N)
b) Find the magnitude and direction of the force that the hinge exerts on the end of the rod. (FH = 63 N, 11 degrees NW)

Homework Equations


Sum of the Torques clockwise = Sum of the torques counterclockwise (ETcw = ETccw)
Basic trig like sin, cos and tan.

The Attempt at a Solution


I solved a) already.
(Tcos60*1/3d) = (12cos30*d)
(T*0.1666666) = (10.39230485)
T= 62.3 N

(Here is a picture of the diagram; it's not very clear)
http://twitpic.com/bzeo8w
The angle the wire makes with the rod is 30 and the angle the weight makes with the rod is 60.
Question b) however I am completely stuck on, it would be great if someone could explain how to do it step by step.
http://twitpic.com/bzeo9g
I tried to find FHy and FHx however nothing made sense to me and I've spent three hours on this.
There are only three forces acting on the rod:
The weight hanging from the end.

The tension of the wire.

The force exerted by the hinge.​

It's a fairly straight forward equilibrium problem .
 


SammyS said:
There are only three forces acting on the rod:
The weight hanging from the end.

The tension of the wire.

The force exerted by the hinge.​

It's a fairly straight forward equilibrium problem .

I know but I don't know why the answer is 11 degrees NW, that's where I am confused.
 


StaticWaffles said:
I know but I don't know why the answer is 11 degrees NW, that's where I am confused.
In my opinion, using a compass direction here is rather strange.

I get the the hinge exerts a force of 63.347 Newtons outward from the wall at an angle of 10.9197° above the horizontal. If that's considered NorthWest, then fine.
 


SammyS said:
In my opinion, using a compass direction here is rather strange.

I get the the hinge exerts a force of 63.347 Newtons outward from the wall at an angle of 10.9197° above the horizontal. If that's considered NorthWest, then fine.

How do you get 63.347 N for the force that the hinge exerts? Sorry for asking all these questions, this question is just really confusing me though.
 


StaticWaffles said:
How do you get 63.347 N for the force that the hinge exerts? Sorry for asking all these questions, this question is just really confusing me though.
\displaystyle 63.347\approx\sqrt{62.2^2+12^2\,}
 


SammyS said:
\displaystyle 63.347\approx\sqrt{62.2^2+12^2\,}

Thank you so much!
 
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