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(a) Calculate the tension in a vertical strand of spiderweb if a spider of mass

ID: 1420043 • Letter: #

Question

(a) Calculate the tension in a vertical strand of spiderweb if a spider of mass 7.00 ? 10-5 kg hangs motionless on it. __________N
(b) Calculate the tension in a horizontal strand of spiderweb if the same spider sits motionless in the middle of it much like the tightrope walker in Figure 4.13. The strand sags at an angle of 13.0° below the horizontal. ____________N Compare this with the tension in the vertical strand (find their ratio). __________ (tension in horizontal strand / tension in vertical strand)

Explanation / Answer

(A)

just the weight: T = mg = 7*e-5kg * 9.8m/s² = 6.56e-4 N

(B)

Consider the two sides of the strand: the horizontal components must be equal and opposite, and the vertical components must sum to the weight. Then
(vertically) 2*T*sin = mg
2 * T * sin13º =6.56e-4 N
T = 1.45e-3 N

The ratio horizontal / vertical = 1.45e-3/ 6.56e-4

= 2.21