Question

A window washer is standing on a scaffold supported by a vertical rope at each end. The scaffold weighs 208 N and is 3.2 m long. What is the tension in each rope when the 710–N worker stands 1.20 m from one end? Please answer in smaller tension & larger tension.

Answer 1

The tension in the smaller rope is 502 N, and the tension in the larger rope is 208 N.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the tension in the ropes supporting the scaffold, we can start by calculating the weight that the scaffold exerts on the ropes. The weight of the scaffold is given as 208 N.

Since the worker is standing 1.20 m from one end of the scaffold, we can consider the scaffold to be a uniform object and apply the principle of moments:

Tension in smaller rope x distance from smaller rope = Tension in larger rope x distance from larger rope

By substituting the given values into the equation, we can solve for the tensions in the ropes. The tension in the smaller rope is 502 N, and the tension in the larger rope is 208 N.