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

AI Thread Summary
To find the tension in the rope attached at -4mxˆ, set up vector equations for the forces acting on the suspended 100kg mass. The mass's weight can be calculated using Fg=mg, while the net force must equal zero (Fnet=0). Each rope's tension can be represented as a vector, and the angles between the ropes can be determined from their coordinates. By establishing three equations corresponding to the three unknown tensions, the system can be solved. This approach simplifies the problem by focusing on vector components rather than angles.
mrcheeses
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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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