How Do You Calculate Tension and Compression Forces in Physics?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating tension and compression forces in a physics context, specifically involving a mass and an angle. The original poster presents a scenario with a mass of 20.4 kg and an angle of 22 degrees, seeking assistance in determining the forces involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate gravitational force and resolve tension and compression forces using trigonometric relationships. Some participants suggest the inclusion of a free body diagram to aid understanding.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to verify the calculations presented by the original poster. While one participant expresses confidence in the math, the original poster seeks reassurance about their approach and results, indicating a lack of explicit consensus on the correctness of the solution.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of needing a figure to assist in visualizing the problem, which suggests that visual aids may be important for understanding the forces at play. The original poster expresses uncertainty about their calculations, indicating a desire for validation rather than a definitive solution.

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Find the force of tension in the chain. Determine the force of compression in the support bar. Be sure to include a free body diagram as part of your solution.

Now the only information given is a mass=20.4 kg and the angle 22 degrees.

If anyone could help me with this question, it would be greatly appreciated! THANK YOU SO MUCH in advance!


This is what I attempted to do to find a solution:
Fgravity= mg=20.4*9.8=200N

Then to find the tension I did the following:
Tcos(90-22degrees)-200N=0
0.375*T=200N
T=534N------> this would be our vertical component

Resolving horizontally gives:
x-Tcos(22)=0
x=534N*0.927
x=495N
 
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A figure would be a great help.
 


graph.jpg
 
hopefully your able to see that.. thanks again for taking the time to look at my post!
 
I did not work through your math, but it looks OK. So what is the problem? It looks like you have found your answer.
 
I just wasn't feeling very confident with how I got it, I guess I was just looking for a someone to back me up on it haha thanks!
 

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