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A traffic light of mass 15.0 kg hangs from two wires, one at 30 degrees and one at 45 degrees to the horizontal. Which wire carries the greater tension and why?
AThe 30 degree wire, since it pulls more vertically
BThe 45 degree wire, since it pulls more vertically
CThe 45 degree wire, since it pulls more horizontally
DNeither, since two wires always share the load equally
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. The 45 degree wire, since it pulls more vertically
1. The horizontal components of the two tensions must cancel, since there is no horizontal acceleration.
2. The vertical components must together support the weight of the light.
3. The wire at 45 degrees is exerted more vertically than the wire at 30 degrees.
4. The more vertical wire therefore carries the greater tension.
5. Two wires share the load equally only when the angles on either side are the same.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 4 "Dynamics: Force and Newton's Laws of Motion", section 4.7 Further Applications of Newton's Laws of Motion_
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