How Do You Calculate Tension in a Wire at a 45 Degree Angle?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the tension in a wire supporting a mass at a 45-degree angle. The mass is specified as 10 kg, and various tension values are proposed as potential answers.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss drawing force diagrams and applying equilibrium conditions to analyze the forces acting on the mass. There is mention of writing the tension in component form and calculating its magnitude. Some participants express confusion over their calculations and results, questioning the accuracy of their derived values.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing their attempts at calculations and questioning the correctness of their results. There is no explicit consensus on the correct tension value, and some participants are exploring different interpretations of the problem setup.

Contextual Notes

Participants are required to show their attempts at solutions, and there is an emphasis on ensuring that the forces are in equilibrium. Some participants express uncertainty regarding the completeness of the provided information, particularly about the diagram referenced in the discussion.

rAz:DD
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Homework Statement


f_1004m_a0abd84.jpg

A body of mass m = 10kg is suspended by a fixed support through a perfect wire. The body is resting on the vertical support to another disk, so that the thread
formed with a vertical angle α = 45 °, as shown. The tension from the wire has the value:
a. T = 41N
b. T = 100N
c. T = 141N
d. T = 241N

Homework Equations




The Attempt at a Solution

 
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Draw a diagram of the forces acting on the mass. Since there is no motion, the forces must be in equilibrium. That means the vector sum of the forces in the x direction mus be equal to zero and similarly for the vector sum the forces in the y direction. You'll have to write the tension T in component form to do this. After you get the unknown components of T, you'll have to find its magnitude to answer the question.

By the way, you're supposed to show us your attempt at a solution.
 
I've written Gx = G / cos a = T and got a strange result, but i realize now it was a math fail; the correct answer should be c) 141N right ?
 
rAz:DD said:
I've written Gx = G / cos a = T and got a strange result, but i realize now it was a math fail; the correct answer should be c) 141N right ?

Well, I get T = 139N. Summing the forces in the y direction, I get

T = \frac{Mg}{cos(45)} = \frac{98.1}{\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}} = 138.7

which I'd round off to 139N. I don't see a reason for the discrepancy right now.

Is the picture you gave the whole picture?
 
Last edited:

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