Find the tension in the guy wire and the force on the strut by the pivot.

[davidelete]

1. Find the tension in the guy wire and the force on the strut by the pivot.
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/382/tension.png

Homework Equations

I think F_wsin30 and F_wsin40 is applicable here to find tension.

The Attempt at a Solution

The information provided is EXTREMELY vague in my opinion, and I have no idea how to come to any sensible solution. I am not sure if torque is needed or not.

 

[Delphi51]

Well, I don't know what the "strut by the pivot" means so I have to agree it is vague. I would work with the forces acting on the tip where the weight is hung from. There are three forces acting there and since that point is not accelerating, those three forces must add up to zero. You can go with horizontal and vertical components for each vector, or you can go with a head-to-tail triangle diagram of the three vectors adding to zero and solve it with law of sines and law of cosines.

 

[davidelete]

Well, I don't know what the "strut by the pivot" means so I have to agree it is vague. I would work with the forces acting on the tip where the weight is hung from. There are three forces acting there and since that point is not accelerating, those three forces must add up to zero. You can go with horizontal and vertical components for each vector, or you can go with a head-to-tail triangle diagram of the three vectors adding to zero and solve it with law of sines and law of cosines.

The strut by the pivot, I do believe, is the pole acting at the 45 degree angle. Could you please explain what forces those may be? I know that one must be F_w or Force of weight.

 

[Delphi51]

Yes, gravity and the push of the strut and the pull of the guy wire. I would assume that the strut just pushes in its own direction.