Question

A 3.0 kg box is suspended by a series of ropes as shown below. The tension force in the horizontal rope is -40 N. What is the tension force in the rope attached to the ceiling?

40 N
30 N
60 N
50 N

Answer 1

50 N

Step-by-step explanation:

Let the force in the horizontal rope be F₁ and the force in the diagonal rope be F₂:

The total force in the horizontal and vertical directions must be zero, since the object is at rest and is not accelerating.

The horizontal component of the forces:

F₁ + F₂ = -40N + F₂ = 0

F₂ = 40N

The vertical component of the forces:

F₁ + F₂ - mg = 0 + F₂ - mg = 0

F₂ = mg

If I assume the gravitational constant g = 10 m/s²:

F₂ = (3 kg) * (10 m/s²) = 30N

Adding the horizontal and vertical components of the force F₂:

F₂ = √((40N)² + (30N)²) = 50N