Chapter 2, Problem 19A

Consider Nellie in Figure 2.12. What changes in rope tension occur when the ropes make a greater angle with the vertical?

To determine

To explain: The changes in rope tension if the ropes make a greater angle with the vertical.

Answer to Problem 19A

The tension in each rope increases.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Support force is the upward force that balances the weight of an object on the surface. It is also called as the normal force.

Consider the figure shown below.

  

It shows the ropes are at greater angle from the vertical.

For equilibrium, the weight of person N should be equal to the support force.

According to the parallelogram of forces, as angle increases, the vector length will also increase so that the diagonal will remain the same. Hence, the tension in each rope increases with an increase in angle.

Conclusion:

Thus, the tension in each rope increases.