# Static Equilibrium rope and ball problem

1. Oct 27, 2009

### melst

[URGENT]Static Equilibrium problem

A 11kg ball is supported from the ceiling by rope A. Rope B pulls downward and to the side on the ball. If the angle of A to the vertical is 22 degree and if B makes an angle of degree to the vertical find the tension in rope A.

2. Relevant equations
sum Force = 0
Fy= T sin theta-mg = 0
sum of Torque = 0

3. The attempt at a solution
I have no idea on how to solve this at all!
one thing I know is that the tension in Rope A is bigger than Rope B, maybe.

Thanks.
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

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2. Oct 27, 2009

### Bacat

Re: [URGENT]Static Equilibrium problem

Make a free body diagram. That means you draw a circle on a piece of paper and consider all the forces acting on the ball. You have the tension pulling the ball up, the weight (mass times gravity) pulling down, and the other tension pulling the ball to the side.

Next, make an important observation: the ball is not moving.

This means that the sum of all the forces acting on the ball must equal zero. So that's an equation.

$$T_a + T_b + mg = 0$$

But actually, this is two equations because these are vectors...

$$x: T_{a,x} + T_{b,x} + mg_x = 0$$

$$y: T_{a,y} + T_{b,y} + mg_y = 0$$

You know mg and you can calculate the two tensions because you are given the angles. You need to break the tensions into the x and y components of tension (by using Sin, Cos and the given angles). Then it's easy to solve for the x and y components of the tension in rope A.

Once you have the components of tension, vector-add them to find the total tension in rope A.

Make sense?

3. Oct 27, 2009

### melst

Re: [URGENT]Static Equilibrium problem

Ok, let's see:
for A:
x=mg cos theta + mg
y=mg cos theta + mg

answer = square root x^2+y^2 ?

Sorry, I'm a bit lost.

4. Oct 27, 2009

### Bacat

Re: [URGENT]Static Equilibrium problem

First of all, you can't use Cos for both the x and y components of tension. Maybe that was a typo?

Also, you are ignoring the tension from rope B in your equations. You won't be able to solve this unless you include them. So rewrite your equations to consider the x components of A, B, and gravity; then the y components. Then set these equations both equal to zero (it's zero because the ball is not moving, therefore it is at equilibrium therefore the sum of the forces must be zero). Then you just solve the system of equations to find your x and y components of tension for A.

You don't use the $$T_a = \sqrt{T_a,x^2 + T_a,y^2}$$ part until you have solve for x and y.

5. Oct 27, 2009

### melst

Re: [URGENT]Static Equilibrium problem

Ta cos 22 + Tb cos 53 + 11*9.8 = 0
Ta sin 22 + Tb sin 53 = 0
solve simultaneously and