Question

A 10 kg mass is hung from 2 light, inextensible strings such that the vertical string is attached to the top of the block at an angle 60 degree and the other string is attached straight horizontally to the adjacent side of the mass. How do we solve the tension in the horizontal string?

Answer 1

M*g = 10 * 9.8 = 98 N. = Wt. of mass.

The system is in equilibrium:

T1*Cos60 = -T2.
T1 = -T2/Cos60 = -2T2.

T1*sin60 = 98 N.
T1 = 98/sin60 = 113.2 N.

-2T2 = T1 = 113.2, T2 = -56.6 N. = Tension in horizontal string.