To find the tension in each rope, you can use the concept of vector addition. Since the two ropes exert equal-magnitude forces at an angle of 86 degrees between them and the resultant pull is 372 N directly upward, you can break down the problem into components.
Let T be the magnitude of tension in each rope.
1. The vertical component of tension in each rope (T_vertical) opposes the weight and should be equal to the weight (372 N) for the system to be in equilibrium.
T_vertical = 372 N
2. The horizontal component of tension in each rope (T_horizontal) is the force due to the angle between the ropes. This component is given by:
T_horizontal = 2 * T * sin(86 degrees)
Now, you can solve for T using the vertical component:
T = T_vertical / (2 * sin(86 degrees))
T = 372 N / (2 * sin(86 degrees))
Calculate the value of T:
T ≈ 372 N / (2 * 0.9962)
T ≈ 186 N
So, each rope exerts a tension of approximately 186 N.