Hanging Mass - Answer says that I am wrong

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the tension in a rope supporting a hanging mass of 2.0 kg, considering the forces of tension and gravity acting on the mass. Participants are analyzing the equilibrium of forces and the impact of angles on the tension calculation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of tension, with some suggesting that the original poster's result of 38 Newtons may be correct based on the angle provided. Others question the text's assertion that each string should equal 76 Newtons, proposing that this could stem from a misunderstanding of the angle's effect on the calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing alternative calculations and questioning the validity of the textbook's answer. Some have suggested that the discrepancy may arise from a potential error in the text or in the interpretation of the angle used in the calculations.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a possible typo in the textbook and confusion regarding the angle used in the calculations, which may affect the tension results. Participants are also considering the implications of using sine functions in their calculations.

Sabellic
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Homework Statement


The relevant forces are tension in the rope, which acts in two directions on the object, and the force of gravity, the object's weight which acts down.
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/9788/2kgut8.th.gif

Calculate the tension in the rope.

mass= 2.0 kg
tension force = unknown

Homework Equations



Force (tension) - Force (weight of mass) = 0 (because the system is in equilibrium).

The Attempt at a Solution



I put it up on image-shack:

http://img413.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict0037hv3.jpg

I got 38 Newtons of tension on each rope. But the text tells me that I am wrong and that EACH string should equal 76 Newtons.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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Given your angle of 15, 38N should be correct...but the only way to get their answer is if the angle is approximately halved.
 
Looks like a typo possibly born out of someone carelessly adding where they shouldn't. Using half the angle only yields 75N for me whereas the problem in the illustration yields something quite close to 38N (37.9N for me). For the text calculation to be based on just half the angle then the claim 76N would be too much in error. To claim exactly twice then suggests carelessness in preparing the text description of the answer.
 
Last edited:
your right,.. all they did was take 19.6/sin(15). should have been 19.6/(2sin(15))
 
2Tsin15(tension)-2*9.8kg=0

am i right?
 
Last edited:
19.6/2sin15 is coming something 15.07!
 

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