Why doesn't the rope break when Harry is supported by it?

  • Thread starter Meowserkitty
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Force
In summary, Harry the painter can swing year after year from his bosun's chair without the rope breaking because the two cables supporting him are able to withstand his weight and have a combined breaking point higher than his weight. However, when he ties the rope to a single point, the uneven forces cause the rope to snap because the single cable cannot support his weight.
  • #1
Meowserkitty
14
0

Homework Statement


Harry the painter swings year after year from his bosun’s chair. His weight is 575 N and the rope, unknown to him, has a breaking point of 300 N. Why doesn’t the rope break when he is supported as shown at the left below? One day Harry is painting near a flagpole, and, for a change, he ties the free end of the rope to the flagpole instead of to his chair as shown at the right. What happens to Harry and why? (2 pts.)





Homework Equations



fnet=ma

The Attempt at a Solution


To be honest I'm entirely lost. It is more of a conceptual question and I believe the answer may have to do with the forces cancelling each other out. I also believe the rope will snap when on the flag pole (or the pole might) because of the uneven forces.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
We need the pictures.
 
  • #3
I am sorry, I thought it uploaded, one moment.
 
  • #4
Here, it is attached.
 

Attachments

  • Untitled.png
    Untitled.png
    28 KB · Views: 378
  • #5
In the first diaram, there are 2 forces(cables) pulling the man.
In the second diagram, only one force pulling the man.
 
  • #6
That still doesn't help much.
 
  • #7
If 2 identical cables are twisted together then the strength(breaking point) must be double than that of a single cable.
 

What is a force equilibrium problem?

A force equilibrium problem is a physics problem that involves calculating the forces acting on an object in order to determine whether the object is in a state of equilibrium or not.

What are the key principles of force equilibrium?

The two key principles of force equilibrium are Newton's First Law of Motion, which states that an object will remain at rest or in motion at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an unbalanced force, and Newton's Second Law of Motion, which states that the net force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration.

How do you solve a force equilibrium problem?

To solve a force equilibrium problem, you first need to identify all the forces acting on the object and their directions. Then, you can use the principles of force equilibrium to set up and solve equations to determine the net force and whether the object is in equilibrium or not.

What happens if an object is not in equilibrium?

If an object is not in equilibrium, it means that the net force acting on the object is not equal to zero. This can cause the object to accelerate in the direction of the net force, either speeding up or slowing down depending on the direction of the force.

What are some real-life applications of force equilibrium?

Force equilibrium is an important concept in many areas of science and engineering, such as structural engineering, where it is used to design stable and safe buildings and bridges. It is also essential in understanding the motion of objects in space, such as satellites and rockets. Additionally, force equilibrium is important in sports, such as balancing on a surfboard or executing a perfect dive, as athletes need to achieve a state of equilibrium to perform well.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
23K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
5K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
24
Views
7K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
4K
Back
Top