Physics Help Vectors
So we're currently on the chapter with Vectors and we were suppose to do certain problems on this worksheet; however, I came across a problem which I have no idea how to solve. Here it is:
"A traffic light is supported by two cables that are 140 degrees apart. Each cable exerts a tensile force of 150 N [Newtons] on the light. How much does the light weigh?"
A step by step solution is needed, I don't just want the answer but how you got the solution. Thank you
September 13, 2011
2 Comments • Newest first
[quote=Nekoshi]The cables are 140 degrees apart, which means that each cable is 20 degrees to the horizontal. To maintain equilibrium, Fg = Fty, which means that the sum of the tension in the vertical component must equal to the weight of the traffic light. By trig, we can see that the vertical component of a single cable is 150sin(20 degrees). Since there are two cables, then the answer would be 300(sin(20 degrees)). That is the weight, but to get the mass, you divide by the constant given for gravity (usually 9.8, 9.81 or whatever you use).[/quote]
That's what I did but I got a totally different answer than the 1st poster, I probably did something wrong. Thanks to everyone helping
[quote=JonBaz]I'm not sure but is it 10.47 kg? I'm not really sure. Can someone confirm/unconfirm this?[/quote]
Would you mind telling me how you got to that answer? If it's not too much of a problem Please and thank you!