Given the diagram, what is the tension in each string?

[laladude]

Homework Statement

Given this diagram and the masses involved, what is the Tension in each string. All masses are 1kg.

Diagram provided

Sorry, the angle for T2 is 10°

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I really don't know where to start.

 

[Redbelly98]

For each mass, draw a force diagram.

Then use ∑F_x=ma_x and ∑F_y=ma_y. (And you should know what a_x and a_y are )

 

[laladude]

For each mass, draw a force diagram.

Then use ∑F_x=ma_x and ∑F_y=ma_y. (And you should know what a_x and a_y are )

okay, so for T1 and T2..

x-dir would be ∑Fx = - T1 cos30 + T2 cos10 = 0

y-dir would be ∑Fy = T1 cos30 + T2 cos10 + -mg = 0

Then solve for T1 = T2 cos10/cos30 = 0

Plug into y-dir eq. (T2 cos10/cos30) cos30 + T2 cos10 = mg

T2 = mg/1.97 which is 4.97.

Then plug T2 to T1. Correct?

Now I am uncertain about T3 and T4..

 

[Redbelly98]

okay, so for T1 and T2..

x-dir would be ∑Fx = - T1 cos30 + T2 cos10 = 0

Yes, good.

y-dir would be ∑Fy = T1 cos30 + T2 cos10 + -mg = 0

Almost -- for the y-dir, we use sin instead of cos.

Then solve for T1 = T2 cos10/cos30 = 0

Except for the "=0" part, that is correct.

Plug into y-dir eq. (T2 cos10/cos30) cos30 + T2 cos10 = mg

Yes, except that there should be some sin's in there because of what I said before about the y-direction forces.

T2 = mg/1.97 which is 4.97.

Then plug T2 to T1. Correct?

Yes, that is the idea.

Now I am uncertain about T3 and T4..

Have a look at the forces acting on Mass #3.

 

[asteriatic]

Can you please provide more information about the situation and the forces involved? Without knowing the specific setup and any external forces acting on the system, it is impossible to determine the tension in each string.