Tension Change When Spreading Scales: What Happens and Why?

[mouasee012]

Homework Statement

Continue to spread the scales farther apart. What happens to the tension in each scale? Why? [Quick question: There are two scales, so would I have to draw two boxes?]

Homework Equations

Fg=mg
sin70degrees=FTy/FT ---> FTy/sin70degrees

The Attempt at a Solution

So, I understand that when the two angles are the same, then the sum of both FTen would equal to Fg. As the scales are moved further apart, then the tension of one scale would still be equivalent to the other. That must mean the tension increases as they move away, but as I thought before, they still equal to each other. I don't really understand what happens to the tension and why... I also don't quite understand the role of the x and y components besides solving for missing angles/sides and such.

 

[rl.bhat]

Hi mouasee, welcome to PF.
Please post the complete problem.