What Is the Force on a Crate When a Midpoint Rope Is Pulled?

AI Thread Summary
When a force of 100 lbs is applied to the midpoint of a rope tied to a crate, the tension in the rope must be calculated to determine the force on the crate. The weight of the crate is not necessary for this calculation. Analyzing the midpoint of the rope reveals that both sides exert force, creating a right triangle with the horizontal distance to the crate and the vertical deflection of 2 ft. By applying trigonometric principles, the tension can be determined, resulting in a value of approximately 31.61 N. Understanding the angles and forces involved is crucial to solving this problem effectively.
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Question: To move a heavy crate across a floor, one end of a rope is tied to it and the other end is tied to a wall 30 ft. away. When a force of 100 lbs. is applied to a midpoint of the rope, the rope stretches so the midpoint moves to the side by 2ft. What is the force on the crate?
I tried using -T+w cos30+w cos 30 to get the force on the crate but now I know its wrong.
Then looking on the diagram, I can't seem to find what angle to use, since I think its one important detail on how to solve the problem. All I know is that the 100 lbs. is the tension applied to the rope and the weight of the crate was not given. Please help.
 
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acsin92 said:
All I know is that the 100 lbs. is the tension applied to the rope and the weight of the crate was not given.
100 lbs is the force applied to the rope, not the tension in the rope. (The tension is what you're trying to find.) You don't need the weight of the crate.

Analyze a section of rope at the very midpoint. What forces act on it? Hint: Both sides of the rope pull at that point.

To find the angle, look at the right triangle formed between crate, original midpoint, and new midpoint. What's the horizontal distance from crate to midpoint? That's one side. What's the vertical deflection from horizontal? That's another side.
 
yeah i got it. T = 31.61N.
 
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