- #1
Seaborgium
- 14
- 2
Homework Statement
"A cylinder of mass m and radius R is lodged between crossed sticks that make an angle θ with each other. The crossed sticks, each of negligible mass, are connected at the point C, with AC=BC=2R and CD=CE=3R. Determine the tension in the string at DE. Assume the floor is smooth."
Associated diagram:
Homework Equations
Not sure if there are any, its a statics problem with no given data so it seems to be a puzzle of arranging force vectors.
The Attempt at a Solution
Establishing that the system is symmetrical, and that the string is light and inextensible and that tension is constant along it, I resolved to work with only one half of the system. Taking the contact point at the point on a stick where the cylinder meets it, the downward force would be mg (I would think) from which the normal contact force on the cylinder could be worked out in terms of mg and θ. From here, as the system is in equilibrium, the sum of forces along the horizontal plane would be zero, hence the horizontal component of the normal contact force would be equal to the tension in the string, thus completing the question.
I'm not confident that my understanding of the system is complete, and I'm not sure how to determine the normal contact force. Have I described all the forces in play correctly?
Thanks
Seaborg