A 20-kg crate is suspended from a fixed, horizontal beam by two vertical ropes. What is the approximate tension in each rope?
A)10 N
B)40 N
C)100 N
D)200 N
E)390 N

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The weight of the crate is acting in the downward direction, and it is being held by two vertical ropes, which means the tension in each rope is acting upward. Since the crate is at rest, the tension in each rope must be equal to half of the weight of the crate. Therefore, tension in each rope ≈ 1/2 × weight of crate ≈ 1/2 × 20 kg × 9.8 m/s² ≈ 100 N. So, the best choice in this case would be C, which is approximately equal to 100 N.

A 20-Kg Crate Is Suspended from a Fixed, Horizontal Beam