Question

If a 52 N store sign is hanging from two ropes, what is the tension in each rope?

Answer 1

`T = 26 N`

Explanation:

The sign is held up by two ropes. The force that each rope exerts on the sign is denoted by T, the tensional force. Since there are 2 ropes, it is 2T. The force acting downward is the weight of the sign, given as `"mg"` but given to us already as `52" N"`. The tensional forces act opposite the weight of the sign.

Since the sign is not accelerating in either the x direction or the y direction, the sign is said to be in `"equilibrium"`. The net force on the sign is, therefore, `0` (`Sigma vecF = 0`).

`Sigma vecF=0 = T + T = mg`

`2T = mg`

`T = (52N)/(2)`

`T = 26 N`

Answer: 26 N