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Two wires support a massive beam of length L=16 m as shown in the figure above.

ID: 1261274 • Letter: T

Question

Two wires support a massive beam of length L=16 m as shown in the figure above. A box hangs from a wire which is connected a distance of 12 m from the left edge of the beam. The tension in the left support wire is 500 N and the tension in the right support wire is 600 N. What is the mass of the box?

Two wires support a massive beam of length L=16 m as shown in the figure above. A box hangs from a wire which is connected a distance of 12 m from the left edge of the beam. The tension in the left support wire is 500 N and the tension in the right support wire is 600 N. What is the mass of the box?

Explanation / Answer

Net force = (M+m)g (M-Mass of beam and m is mass of box)

So T1+T2 = (M + m)g = 600+500 =1100 N

M+m = 1100/9.8 = 112.24 Kg ............(1)

And equating moment about left end

600*16 = Mg*8 + mg*12

2M + 3m = 150*16/9.8 = 244.90 Kg .......(2)

solving both

m = 244.90 - 2*112.24 = 20.42 Kg

So mass of box = 20.42 Kg (ans)