Tension in String One of 5 kg Mass at 45 Degree Angle

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the tension in string one attached to a 5 kg mass at a 45-degree angle. String one is responsible for counteracting the mass's weight due to its vertical component, leading to the conclusion that T1 equals 63.9N. The tension is derived using the equations of equilibrium, specifically resolving forces horizontally and vertically. String two's tension, T2, is calculated as 49N, although its determination is optional. The calculations confirm the approach is correct for exam preparation in mathematics and mechanics.
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Two strings are attached to a 5 kg mass. String one is at a 45 degree angle and the other is horizontal. What is the tension in string one?
 
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From my reading of this, String one is the only one capable of counteracting the weight of the mass (since it alone has a vertical component).

The tension in string one (i.e magnitude of tensile force) should therefore be:
sqrt(2)*mg.
 
where did the sqrt(2) come from?

your equation works but how did you get it?
 
Assume that string one goes along the line (-cos(45),sin(45)), wheras string two is along the horizontal (1,0) (The mass itself is position at the origin).

(Clearly, the only necessary requirement is that the tensile force in string one has a component in the positive vertical component, in order to balance the weight of the mass).
 
T1 = 63.9N
T2 = 49N

I just resolved horizontally and vertically
T1sin45 = 5G
Simplification gives T1 = 63.9N

Calculating T2 is optional, but i got 49N.
 
To be sure, is the above correct? I'm revising for my mathematics - mechanics exam and that seems to be similar to a few of the questions.
 
Yes that's correct KnowledgeIsPower.

ΣFx = 0 = T2 - T1cos 45o
ΣFy = 0 = T1sin 45o - mg

From the second equation you can find T1, and the first will give you T2.
 
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