Understanding Tension in Slanted Cables for Equilibrium of a 59 N Weight

[bamb3ry]

Homework Statement

59 N weight held by two cables. The left-hand cable is horizontal.

What is the tension in the cable slanted
at an angle of 51◦? Answer in units of N.

What is the tension in the horizontal cable?
Answer in units of N

 

[arildno]

Angle 51 wrt to which axis? The horizontal or vertical?

Remember that the horizontal cable cannot transmit any force in the vertical direction; hence, only the slanted cable upholds the weight.

Furthermore, since that cable is slanted, it follows it transmits to the weight a force also in the horizontal direction; thus, in order for the weight to remain in equilibrium, the strictly horizontal cable must counteract that force by its own trension.