What is the tension in the rope attached at -4mxˆ?

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SUMMARY

The problem involves calculating the tension in a rope attached at the coordinates -4mxˆ, with a 100kg mass suspended by three ropes connected at -1mzˆ. The solution requires setting up vector equations for the forces acting on the mass, utilizing the equilibrium condition Fnet=0 and the gravitational force equation Fg=mg. By representing the tensions of the ropes as vectors and ensuring that the sum of the forces in each direction equals zero, three equations can be derived to solve for the unknown tensions.

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Homework Statement


A 100kg mass is supended by 3 ropes. one rope is attached at a point 1mxˆ + 1myˆ, one is attached at 1mxˆ - 1myˆ and one is attached at -4mxˆ. The three ropes all connect at -1mzˆ, at which point the mass is attached. What is the tension T in the rope attached at -4mxˆ?



Homework Equations


Fnet=0
Fg=mg


The Attempt at a Solution


I have no idea how to do this. Do I need to find the angles in between each rope?
 
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You should represent the tension of each rope vectorially. Which is not hard, as you are given the coordinates of each rope's endpoints, and the rope is a straight line between the endpoints.
 
If you bother with the angle and different planes, you could, but it is more convenient to solve this with vectors.
First, you need to set up vector equations for the 4 forces involved.
Since you can work out the direction of each Force vectors, the magnitudes are the 3 unknowns.
Then, all of the Force vectors add up to a null vector. In other words, forces in each direction (i,j,k) add up to 0.
And by then you are left with 3 equations for 3 unknowns.
 

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