What must the resultant of the two tension forces in the ropes be?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving tension forces in two ropes supporting a load, with specific focus on the resultant tension and the individual tensions in each rope. The context includes analyzing forces in equilibrium and applying Newton's laws.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between the tensions in the ropes and the gravitational force on the load, questioning whether the tensions must equal 500N or if they can differ due to the angles of the ropes.
  • Some participants suggest drawing a free-body diagram and applying Newton's second law to analyze the forces in both the x and y directions.
  • There is uncertainty regarding how to approach the problem without specific values for the tensions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of free-body diagrams and the application of Newton's laws, but there remains a lack of consensus on how to proceed with the calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the angles of the ropes affect the tensions, leading to differing y-components. There is also mention of the need for more information regarding the forces involved, as some participants express confusion about how to apply trigonometric methods without specific tension values.

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Homework Statement


http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/3378/14906417xg0.th.png
A) What must the resultant of the two tension forces in the ropes be?
B)What is the magnitude and direction of the tension in each of the two ropes?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



For A ... shouldn't the tensions in the ropes equal 500N?? cause they need to oppose the force of gravity on the load...
and i have no idea where to start for B anyone know ??
 
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for A, because it has 2 ropes, and they are not equal , so it's not 500N
 
ahhhh but what if it was one rope ?
also the rope connects to a central point which is the hook ...
so wouldn't the tension remain constant throughout the whole rope?
 
dont you see the hook is at the connecting point of 2 ropes?
the 2 ropes added up to 500N.
but then one rope is longer, and one is shorter, so the force they contain is different too
 
alright ... the tensions are not equal ... but they should add up to 500 N right??

Edit : Also for each tension ... is it the overall tension ... or the Y direction of the tensions??
 
bump...
 
The tensions' y-components add up to 500N.

Draw a free-body diagram for the mass and write out Newton's 2nd law in the x and y directions.
 
the y-components are not equal though right??
 
No, because the angles are different.
 
  • #10
awvvu said:
No, because the angles are different.

huh... i said " they are NOT EQUAL " ...
since they are at different angles they are not the same right??
but where would i start at this problem??
 
  • #11
VanKwisH said:
huh... i said " they are NOT EQUAL " ...
since they are at different angles they are not the same right??
but where would i start at this problem??

Yeah, I'm saying you're right, they aren't equal.

Read what I said earlier, 'Draw a free-body diagram for the mass and write out Newton's 2nd law in the x and y directions.'
 
  • #12
alright i got the FBD ... but for Newton's 2nd law ...
are u talking about the Fnet = ma in the x and y direction or a different one??
 
  • #13
VanKwisH said:
alright i got the FBD ... but for Newton's 2nd law ...
are u talking about the Fnet = ma in the x and y direction or a different one??

Yes, write out the net forces in the x and y direction. Not sure what you're asking.
 
  • #14
alright is it
Fnetx = fax + fbx = 0N
Fnety = fay + fby + fg = 0N
cause it's in equilibirum right??
 
  • #15
Yep.
 
  • #16
still doesn't make any sense to me ... :S i don't have an Fa nor Fb
so i can't use trig ... what do i do next?
 

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