A 500-N tightrope walker stands at the center of the rope. If the rope can withstand a tension of 1400 N without breaking, what is the minimum angle the rope can make with the horizontal?
A) 4 $\degree$
B) 8 $\degree$
C) 10 $\degree$
D) 15 $\degree$

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The tension in the rope is related to the weight of the walker and the angle with the horizontal. Using trigonometry, the minimum angle θ can be found using the equation 2Tsin(θ) = W, where T is the tension and W is the weight. Solving for θ gives the minimum angle.

A 500-N Tightrope Walker Stands at the Center of the Rope