How Do You Calculate Cable Tension in a Bird Feeder Setup?

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To calculate the tension in the cables supporting a 168 N bird feeder, the vertical cable must support the entire weight, while the two diagonal cables need to have their forces resolved into horizontal and vertical components. The horizontal components of the diagonal cables must balance each other, while the sum of the vertical components must equal the weight of the feeder. The initial attempt to calculate tension using sin(60) was incorrect, indicating a misunderstanding of the forces involved. Proper equations for the horizontal and vertical net forces must be established to accurately determine the tension in each cable.
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Homework Statement



A 168 N bird feeder is supported by three cables, as shown in Figure P4.17. Find the tension in each cable.

picture can be found here: http://www.webassign.net/sf5/p4_13.gif

Homework Equations



all trig functions

The Attempt at a Solution



left cable:
sin(60) = 168/T
T = 336

this did not work when i put in the answer on webassign so i didnt even try for the right cableI think I'm doing something fundamentally wrong.
 
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The vertical cable should be straightforward. It bears the entire weight of the bird house (including whatever bird(s) and food happen to be supported by it).

The two diagonal cables have to be resolved into horizontal and vertical components.

The horizontal components must be equal and opposite (i.e. one force is the opposite of the other).

The sum of the vertical components must equal _________________?

Please write the equations for the horizontal and vertical net forces for the diagonal cables.


BTW, welcome to PhysicsForums!
 
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
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