A street lamp weighs 150 N. It is supported by two wires that form an angle of 120 (degrees) with each other. The tensions in the wires are equal a) what is the tension in each wire? b) if the anggle is reduced to 90 (degrees) what is the tension in each wire? PICTURES WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL! Thank you :D

Question

anonymous · Answer

Well, if the angle of the two wires together is 120 (think of the top of a triangle), then the angle on each side of the 150N vector is 60 degrees.  This leaves a 30 degree angle on each corner.  The Sin(30) = 150/Hypotenuse.  Hypotenuse = 300N.  I believe that is correct but I can't promise.  I hope it at least helps with the logic.

anonymous · Answer

Try page 5 of this. I think I was wrong. http://www.sas.upenn.edu/~kennethp/phhww6.pdf