Question

A uniform metal tube of length 5m and mass 9kg is suspended horizontally by two vertical wires attached at 50cm and 150cm respectively from the ends of the tube. Find the tension in each wire.

Answer 1

a = tension in first wire
b= tension in latter wire
The total force the wires exert on the tube is equal to its weight:\[a+b=9kg \times 9.8ms^-1=88.2N\]The torques the wires exert about the tube's centre of mass must be equal:\[a \times(2.5-0.5)=b \times(2.5-1.5)\]\[2a=b\]Now solve the equations simultaneous to get your answer