How Do Angles Affect the Forces in Lifting Tongs?

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    Force Lifting
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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the forces acting on lifting tongs, specifically how angles influence these forces. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the vertical forces and the angles associated with them.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the concept of free body diagrams and equilibrium forces. There is a suggestion to consider mechanical advantage and the relationship between the load and the movement of the tongs. Questions arise about calculating specific coordinates necessary for further analysis.

Discussion Status

Some guidance has been offered regarding the application of forces and moments, but there remains uncertainty about the coordinates needed for calculations. Multiple approaches are being discussed, indicating an ongoing exploration of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that certain coordinates may not be necessary for the analysis, which introduces a layer of complexity regarding assumptions about the problem setup.

Gauss M.D.
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Homework Statement



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The Attempt at a Solution



I think I just need a kickstart figuring out what the forces in the vertical direction of F and G are. I am guessing F and G are exerting a force in the direction of their normal, but I have no idea how to figure out the angle of that normal. Really lost :(
 

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You can solve this by concentrating on the tongs as the 'free bodies'. The load applies a vertically downward force Mg/2 on each, and you just need to compute the horizontal force it must apply in equilibrium.
Another approach is to think in terms of mechanical advantage. If the load were to descend some small distance dy, how much closer would the ends of the tongs get?
 
Thanks for the help. I can't seem to work out the coordinates of points A or B however. I think I need those to calculate moments, but I'm not sure how to find them...
 
It is not possible to determine the co-ordinates of those points, but it turns out not to matter.
Can you find the tension in the rod DE? Can you then take moments about F in rod DAF?
 

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