How Is the Tension Calculated in the Main Cable Supporting a Piano?

[skinard360]

A 500 kg piano is being lowered into position by a crane while two people steady it with ropes pulling to the sides. Bob's rope pulls to the left, 15 degrees below horizontal, with 500 N of tension. Ellen's rope pulls toward the right, 25 degrees below horizontal.

What is the tension in the main cable supporting the piano?

I found that the tension in Ellens rope was 533 N but I have no idea how to figure out the tension force in the main cable...can anybody help??

 

[Andrew Mason]

A 500 kg piano is being lowered into position by a crane while two people steady it with ropes pulling to the sides. Bob's rope pulls to the left, 15 degrees below horizontal, with 500 N of tension. Ellen's rope pulls toward the right, 25 degrees below horizontal.

What is the tension in the main cable supporting the piano?

I found that the tension in Ellens rope was 533 N but I have no idea how to figure out the tension force in the main cable...can anybody help??

What can you say about the horizontal components of the tension in the two ropes? (Hint:Does the piano accelerate horizontally?)

AM