Question

A sign with a mass of 23 kg is hanging in two wires both making an angle of 27 degrees with the vertical. Find the tension in one of the wires. Give your answer in newtons (N) and with 3 significant figures.

Answer 1

1. draw a free-body diagram.
2. Let T be the tension in each of the wires, which makes an angle of 27° with the vertical.
3. Sum forces on the sign in the y-direction (vertical) to get
2Tcos(27°)=23kg * 9.81
Solve for T.