Final answer:
The tension in each of the three wires supporting a 44.7-kg chandelier is approximately 146.189 N, as we assume that the tension is evenly distributed among the three wires, and the system is in static equilibrium.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the tension in each wire supporting a 44.7-kg chandelier, we apply principles of static equilibrium. The chandelier is at rest, therefore the sum of the forces and the sum of the torques on the system should be zero. Since there are three wires holding the chandelier, the weight of the chandelier is evenly distributed across all three, which means each wire will support one-third of the total weight.
The weight of the chandelier (W) can be calculated using the mass (m) and the acceleration due to gravity (g).
W = m * g
= 44.7 kg * 9.81 m/s2
= 438.567 N (rounded to three significant figures)
Now, since the tension is evenly distributed across the three wires:
Tension in each wire (T) = Total weight / Number of wires
T = 438.567 N / 3
T ≈ 146.189 N
Therefore, the tension in each wire that supports the chandelier is approximately 146.189 N.