How Do I Include Tension in a Free Body Diagram?

okgo · Mar 11, 2009

Homework Statement

Textbook figure 5.37 showing two hanging weights: a 72 N block at the top connected by cables B and C angled 60 degrees from vertical, and a 150 N block below it connected by cable A.

Homework Equations

I already got the right answer in the book. The only issue I have is drawing the free body diagram which it doesn't show. I'm not sure how to include the tension of the bottom-most string into the first diagram.

The Attempt at a Solution

Hand-drawn free-body diagram of a dark blob with three forces: two tension arrows pulling up and out to the left and right, and a downward arrow labelled W; a second diagram beside it shows an upward arrow labelled T and a downward arrow labelled W.

Its meant to say 72 N for the first diagram

Dr.D · Mar 11, 2009

There are two downward forces on the upper block. One is the gravity force, its own weight, and the other is the tension in the sring due to the weight of the lower block. Thus your FBD for the upper block needs two down arrows.

How Do I Include Tension in a Free Body Diagram?

Homework Statement

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

Discussion

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