Using vectors to calculate tension.

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SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around calculating the tension in two chains supporting a 150N chandelier, with angles of 25° and 30° with the ceiling. The equations used are T1cos(25°) = T2cos(30°) and T1sin(25°) + T2sin(30°) = 150N. The solution yields T1 ≈ 158.23N and T2 ≈ 166.14N, confirming the calculations as correct. The discussion concludes that there is no simple method to verify the solution, but the problem itself is straightforward.

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Alright, so this question was giving me problems and I made one up to solve for practice, but I have no way to check if I did it correctly, so I would appreciate if you could I did it correctly.

Homework Statement


A 150N chandelier is suspended from a ceiling at a single point by two chains that make angles of 25° and 30° with the ceiling. Calculate the tension on each chain.


Homework Equations


[tex]T_{1}\cos{25} = T_{2}\cos{30}[/tex]
[tex]T_{1}\sin{25} + T_{2}\sin{30} = 150 N[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


First, I'll label the chain that makes an angle of 25° with the ceiling be T_1 and the chain that makes an angle of 30° with the ceiling be T_2
First I decide to solve for T_2 by using the first equation:
[tex]T_{1}\cos{25} = T_{2}\cos{30}[/tex]
[tex]T_{2} = \frac{T_{1}\cos{25}}{\cos{30}}[/tex]
[tex]T_{2} = 1.05T_{1}[/tex]
Now I substitute this into the second equation:
[tex]T_{1}\sin{25} + 1.05T_{1}\sin{30} = 150 N[/tex]
[tex]0.423T_{1} + 0.525T_{1} = 150[/tex]
After doing simple algebra, I yield:
[tex]T_{1} \approx 158.23 N[/tex]
Now to substitute this to find the tension of the other chain:
[tex]T_{2} = 1.05(158.23N) => T_{2} \approx 166.14 N[/tex]

Therefore, the tensions in the two chains are approximately 166.14 N and 158.23 N. Did I do this correctly? Thanks in advance. Also, what would be an efficient way of checking my solution is correct?
 
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It's correct.
No way of simple checking. The problem is simple itself :)
 
Quinzio said:
It's correct.
No way of simple checking. The problem is simple itself :)

Thank you for the help.
 

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