Question

A person with a gravitational force of 750 N is sitting in the centre of a hammock which is strung between two trees. The ropes supporting the hammock make an angle of 20.0 degrees to the level ground. What is the magnitude of the force on each rope?

Answer 1

To find the magnitude of the force on each rope, we need to resolve the gravitational force into its components perpendicular and parallel to the ropes. The perpendicular component is equal to the tension in each rope, and the parallel component is the horizontal force exerted by the person on the hammock.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the magnitude of the force on each rope, we need to resolve the gravitational force into its components perpendicular and parallel to the ropes. The perpendicular component is equal to the tension in each rope, and the parallel component is the horizontal force exerted by the person on the hammock.

The perpendicular component can be found using the equation Tension = Weight * cos(angle), where Weight is the gravitational force and angle is the angle the ropes make with the ground.

Substituting the given values, the magnitude of the force on each rope is Tension = 750 N * cos(20.0 degrees) = 703 N.