Math Help Forum: Tension & Magnitude

A tetherball weighing 1 lb is pulled outward from the pole by a horizontal force u until the rope makes an angle of theta degrees with the pole

1. Determine the resulting tension in the rope and magnitude of u when theta = 30 degrees
2. Write the tension T in the rope and the magnitude of u as functions of theta
3. Determine the domains of the functions
4. Compare T and ||u|| as theta increases

I know that ||u|| = sqrt a^2+b^2 but I just don't know what the values of a and b are.

Thanks in advance!!!

Jennifer

Originally Posted by jmoran

A tetherball weighing 1 lb is pulled outward from the pole by a horizontal force u until the rope makes an angle of theta degrees with the pole

1. Determine the resulting tension in the rope and magnitude of u when theta = 30 degrees
2. Write the tension T in the rope and the magnitude of u as functions of theta
3. Determine the domains of the functions
4. Compare T and ||u|| as theta increases

I know that ||u|| = sqrt a^2+b^2 but I just don't know what the values of a and b are.

Thanks in advance!!!

Jennifer

Draw a sketch.

You deal with a right triangle with the hypotenuse and the legs and .

You know:

Since you know the magnitude of w and the angle you can determine the magnitude of t



For a specific value of you can calculate the magnitude of u.

I don't know if I understand.

I am assuming the magnitude of w is = 1??

If that is the case then in order to get the value of t (which is the tension) when angle is 30 degrees, I would use

t = 1/cos(30)

So now I have the t = 1.15.

Next -

Is this the formula to determine the magnitude of u??



If so, again assuming the magnitude of w is = 1 and the angle is 30 degrees, would it be

i * tan(30) = .58

so |u| = .58 ??

I think I am missing something but I'm not sure what....

Thanks,

Jennifer

The fact that w's magnitude is 1 is given in the problem (the ball is 1 pound). Look again at the diagram posted by earboth. The only assumption is that we are disregarding the weight of the rope itself.

Other than that, your work is correct. It is all right-triangle ratios (SOH, CAH, TOA).

So if the question was

1. Determine the resulting tension in the rope and magnitude of u when theta = 30 degrees

The answer would be

tension = 1/cos(30) = 1.15
|u| = 1 * tan(30) = .58

Is that right?

Jennifer

Originally Posted by jmoran

So if the question was

1. Determine the resulting tension in the rope and magnitude of u when theta = 30 degrees

The answer would be

tension = 1/cos(30) = 1.15
|u| = 1 * tan(30) = .58

Is that right?

Jennifer

Yes

(Keep in mind that the forces are measured in pounds (very unusual) and if you have to use Newtons you must transform these values)

OMG !!!

I actually understand.....

Thank you thank you thank you!!!

Jennifer