Final answer:
The tension in each rope supporting a traffic light with a mass of 475 kg is 2327.5 N, assuming that the weight is equally distributed between the two ropes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Determining the Tension in Each Rope
To find the tension in each rope supporting a traffic light with a mass of 475kg, it is assumed that the system is in equilibrium. The two ropes must support the entire weight of the traffic light. Since the setup is symmetrical, both ropes share the weight equally. Hence, the tension in each rope is half the total weight.
First, calculate the weight (W) of the traffic light using the formula W = mg, where m is the mass and g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.80 m/s²). For a 475 kg traffic light, this gives you W = (475 kg)(9.80 m/s²) = 4655 N.
Since there are two ropes, each rope would bear half the weight. Therefore, the tension (T) in each rope will be T = W/2 = 4655 N / 2 = 2327.5 N.