A lamp of mass is suspended by two light cords fixed to opposite points on a…

PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials

Problem

A lamp of mass

5\,\text{kg}

is suspended by two light cords fixed to opposite points on a horizontal ceiling. One cord makes an angle of

40^{\circ}

with the ceiling, and the other makes an angle of

50^{\circ}

. Take

g = 9.8\,\text{m\,s}^{-2}

. What are the tensions in the

40^{\circ}

cord (

T_1

) and the

50^{\circ}

cord (

T_2

)? (a)

T_1 \approx 38\,\text{N},\; T_2 \approx 31\,\text{N}

(b)

T_1 = T_2 \approx 25\,\text{N}

(c)

T_1 \approx 31\,\text{N},\; T_2 \approx 38\,\text{N}

(d)

T_1 \approx 76\,\text{N},\; T_2 \approx 64\,\text{N}