Tension problem with 2 strings, 1 mass

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving two strings supporting a 20-pound weight, with one string pulling at a 30-degree angle. The participant is struggling to determine the tension in the second string, which is known to be 10.3 pounds, and is required to create a free body diagram. It is established that the weight is in static equilibrium, meaning the forces acting on it are balanced and not causing movement. The basic equation of motion, ∑Fx = max, is deemed unhelpful since the weight is not accelerating. The conversation emphasizes the need to apply static equilibrium equations to solve for the unknown tension.
jay1194
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


So In this problem, I have two strings, one string pulls with pounds and is 30 degrees away from an imaginary line straight down of of the two strings and there are no variables or degrees given for the second string. The weight is 20 pounds. I have been looking at this equation for hours and nothing is coming to mind. The answer is 10.3 pounds, but i don't know what to do to get there. Also have to have a free body diagram.

here is a picture of problem 2.2. The numbers is parenthesis are the answers to the problem. If i could find the answer for a, then i could easily do b.
 

Attachments

  • 20151109_141924.jpeg
    20151109_141924.jpeg
    34.6 KB · Views: 470
Physics news on Phys.org
jay1194 said:

Homework Statement


So In this problem, I have two strings, one string pulls with pounds and is 30 degrees away from an imaginary line straight down of of the two strings and there are no variables or degrees given for the second string. The weight is 20 pounds. I have been looking at this equation for hours and nothing is coming to mind. The answer is 10.3 pounds, but i don't know what to do to get there. Also have to have a free body diagram.

here is a picture of problem 2.2. The numbers is parenthesis are the answers to the problem. If i could find the answer for a, then i could easily do b.
Well, is the weight moving at all when it is suspended by the wires? If it isn't, what does that tell you about the forces acting on the weight?
 
  • Like
Likes jay1194
No, it isn't moving at all. The forces are keeping the weight static. That is all I know. I've been staring at this problem for hours and still can't do a thing
The basic equation he told us to use is:
∑Fx = max
 
jay1194 said:
No, it isn't moving at all. The forces are keeping the weight static. That is all I know. I've been staring at this problem for hours and still can't do a thing
The basic equation he told us to use is:
∑Fx = max
Since the weight is not moving, it is in equilibrium, so that particular equation will be of little use in solving this problem.

If you were to draw a free body diagram, could you write the equations of static equilibrium for this weight?
 
jay1194 said:
No, it isn't moving at all. The forces are keeping the weight static. That is all I know. I've been staring at this problem for hours and still can't do a thing
The basic equation he told us to use is:
∑Fx = max
If nothing starts to move, what is the value of ax? There's also the y direction.
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

2 pullies and 3 masses -Tension
Replies
18
Views
4K
Finding the frequency of a string based on Mass and Tension
Replies
1
Views
3K
Force pulling on a string at an angle with a block at the other end
Replies
2
Views
1K
Ball on a string thrown around a spool
Replies
3
Views
835
Resolving forces: Mass on a string
Replies
4
Views
4K
Effect of temperature on vibrational frequency of a violin string
Replies
5
Views
2K
Tension of string acting on stone moving in horizontal circular motion
Replies
19
Views
3K
Time it Takes for a Transverse Pulse to Travel a Distance "L" Up a Cable Against Gravity?
Replies
13
Views
1K
Acceleration of rising mass and tension in cord
Replies
33
Views
3K
To find the modulus of elasticity of a light elastic string
Replies
7
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top