Find the tension in two cables with a 68kg rescuer attached to them.

  • Thread starter Thread starter quanitary
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Cables Tension
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the tension in two cables supporting a 68 kg police officer suspended at angles of 35 degrees and 48 degrees. Participants emphasize the importance of using free body diagrams and Newton's laws to analyze the forces acting on the officer. The vertical components of the tensions must equal the weight of the officer, while the horizontal components must cancel each other out. The solution involves setting up two equations based on these components to solve for the tensions T1 and T2.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Proficiency in trigonometry for resolving forces
  • Ability to create and interpret free body diagrams
  • Knowledge of basic physics concepts related to tension and weight
NEXT STEPS
  • Study how to create free body diagrams for complex systems
  • Learn about resolving forces using trigonometric functions
  • Explore Newton's second law in the context of static equilibrium
  • Practice problems involving multiple forces and angles
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone involved in mechanics, particularly those studying forces and tension in static systems.

quanitary
Messages
5
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



In a rescue, the 68.0 kg police officer is suspended by TWO cables, as shown in the figure below.

Theta1 = 35 degrees, Theta2 = 48 degrees
Rescuer mass = 68 kg


Homework Equations



Find the Tension in cable 1 in N
Find the Tension in cable 2 in N


The Attempt at a Solution



I tried to find the tension in each cable and then subtract them from each other.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
A figure attached would be helpful. Once you find the cable tensions, why subtract them? Use force diagrams (free body diagrams) and Newton's laws.
 
quanitary said:

Homework Statement



In a rescue, the 68.0 kg police officer is suspended by TWO cables, as shown in the figure below.

Theta1 = 35 degrees, Theta2 = 48 degrees
Rescuer mass = 68 kg

Homework Equations



Find the Tension in cable 1 in N
Find the Tension in cable 2 in N

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried to find the tension in each cable and then subtract them from each other.
Draw a picture. Let the weight force be vertical and downward. One tension points up and left and the other points up and to the right.

The sum of the vertical components of the tensions equals the weight force of the officer. The left and right components of the tensions are equal and opposite.

You must use some trigonometry to get the x and y components of the tensions.

You should get two equations in the two unknowns, T_1 and T_2.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

Finding the tension of two cables holding an object at rest
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
What is the tension in the lift cable and in the string?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
4K
What Are the Tensions in Each Cable of a Suspension Bridge?
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
5K
Find the tension in the cable and reactive forces at ground
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
What are the tensions on two cables holding a girder hanging from a crane?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
Tension in landing cable on an aircraft carrier
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
How Do You Calculate the Tension in a Cable Supporting a Boom at an Angle?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Tension and Equilibrium: Hanging sign
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Find the tension in each cable Physics Problem -
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
7K
Find tension in cables supporting giant swing
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K