A small wooden block is kept fixed at the junction point O where three light…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 1: Algebra-based · Force and Translational Dynamics · Force and Translational Dynamics
Problem
A small wooden block is kept fixed at the junction point O where three light inextensible strings OA, OB and OC are tied. The block remains at rest under the action of these strings only.
(i) Draw a labelled free-body diagram of the block showing all the forces acting on it.
(ii) State the mathematical condition for translational equilibrium of a particle and explain, in not more than three sentences, how this condition is applied separately along mutually perpendicular axes.
(iii) If the magnitudes of the tensions in OA and OB are T1 and T2 respectively and the angle between them is 120∘, show qualitatively (without doing any numerical calculation) how the tension in OC must be chosen so that the block remains in equilibrium.