What Forces Act on a Hanging Peg?

[coconut62]

Homework Statement

"A picture is supported vertically by a wire that is looped over a horizontal light peg P. There is no friction between the wire and the peg."

(Please refer to the image attached)

How would the free body diagram of the forces acting on the peg look like?

Homework Equations

None

The Attempt at a Solution

I know there's two forces along the wire coming out from the peg, but how about the upward forces? What provides the upward force to keep the peg in equilibrium?

 

[TSny]

Besides the wire, what other object is in contact with the peg?

 

[coconut62]

The inside of the wall?

 

[TSny]

Yes.

 

[coconut62]

But the inside of the wall can act on the peg in any direction. So if the wire acts on the peg in other directions, the inside of the wall will just automatically balance it by acting in the opposite direction?

 

[TSny]

Yes.