Hi, I've just been stuck on this question and trying to wrap my head around it.

The support ring of the traffic light is acted on by 3 forces, 1. The weight of the traffic light (280lb), 2. A force in cable A (280lb) and 3. A force in cable b (Fb). If the resultant forces is 0, determine the magnitude and direction of Fb. The angle for Cable A is 20 degrees from the x axis while the traffic light is straight down, due to gravity and then the Fb wire is attached opposite cable a making a Y.

If anyone could help me out with this, it would be a great help!

Question

Hi, I've just been stuck on this question and trying to wrap my head around it.

The support ring of the traffic light is acted on by 3 forces, 1. The weight of the traffic light (280lb), 2. A force in cable A (280lb) and 3. A force in cable b (Fb). If the resultant forces is 0, determine the magnitude and direction of Fb. The angle for Cable A is 20 degrees from the x axis while the traffic light is straight down, due to gravity and then the Fb wire is attached opposite cable a making a Y. 

If anyone could help me out with this, it would be a great help!

anonymous · Answer

attachment

anonymous · Answer

ignore the blue open writing on top

welshfella · Answer

you solve this by resolving forces vertically and horizontally
the vertical and horizontal components will balance each other.

welshfella · Answer

resolving horizontally
280 cos 20 = Fb cos T      

vertically 220  = 280 sin 20 + Fb sin T

these 2 equations need to be solved

welshfella · Answer

those equations are  a bit tricky so a better way would be to use the triangle of forces . The 3 forces can be represented by the following triangle:
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