How Do You Find Tension in Two Cables Holding a 200 kg Weight?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the tension in two cables that are holding a weight of 200 kg against a wall. It involves analyzing the forces acting on the system, specifically focusing on the equilibrium conditions and the angles of the cables.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents an attempt at a solution using force balance equations for the x and y components.
  • Another participant requests the exact problem statement to better evaluate the provided solution and confirms that the approach of summing the x-components to zero and the y-components to equal the weight is generally correct.
  • A third participant points out that an image link provided does not work and asks for the angles of the cables and a more detailed solution.
  • A later reply challenges the validity of the initial equations, noting that the values presented do not satisfy the Pythagorean identity for sine and cosine, suggesting a potential error in the angles used.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correctness of the initial equations presented. There is no consensus on the validity of the approach or the calculations, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of specific information regarding the angles of the cables and the exact problem statement, which may affect the evaluation of the solution attempt.

stacy123
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how do you find tension in two cables set against a wall will holding a weight of 200 kg up


The Attempt at a Solution


ƩFx: 0.86Fad +0.72Fac=0
ƩFy: -0.37Fad + -0.64Fac = -1960

Homework Statement

 
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You haven't provided enough information. You need to give us the *exact* problem statement (verbatim). I can't evaluate whether your attempt at a solution is a good start if I don't even know what numbers you have been given.

The general idea that the x-components should sum to zero and the y components should together be equal and opposite to the weight is correct.
 
http://https://bay167.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=0&messageId=3dfae626-3d1b-11e3-8d8f-002264c17d58&Aux=2354|0|8D09F3F28148770||0|1|0|0|7|5,11,53&cid=e8972162f752523d&maxwidth=220&maxheight=160&size=Att
 
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Unfortunately, your image doesn't show up. Can you just tell me the angle of each wire from the vertical (or from the horizontal)? And, can you write down your solution in more detail, so that instead of having a bunch of "magic numbers" in it, it's more clear where you are getting those numbers from?
 
Stacy,

It doesn't seem like your equations can be correct. The 0.86 and the 0.37 are supposed to represent the sine and cosine of a certain angle, but the sum of their squares does not add up to 1. The same goes for the 0.72 and the 0.64.

Chet
 

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