A mountain climber lies flat on the surface of a glacier (assumed frictionless), which is inclined at 30 degrees to the horizontal. He remains stationary because he is holding on to a rope that is attached to a spike in the ice further up the slope. The rope is parallel to the surface of the ice. If the force of the ice on the climber is 210 N, what is the tension in the rope?
A) 121 N
B) 105 N
C) 182 N
D) 364 N
E) 242 N

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The force of the ice on the climber is perpendicular to the surface of the ice, and the tension in the rope is parallel to the surface of the ice. The two forces are perpendicular to each other, so the climber is in equilibrium. The tension in the rope is equal to the force of the ice on the climber, which is 210 N.

A Mountain Climber Lies Flat on the Surface of a Glacier