Math Problem Statement

An uniform 8m metal rod AB of weight 400N is hinged to the wall at point B. The end A of the rod is connected with a string of length 6m to the wall at point C. Calculate the tension of the string.

Solution

The given problem involves a uniform rod ABAB and a string attached to the wall at point CC. This is a typical static equilibrium problem where we need to calculate the tension in the string.

Assumptions:

  • The rod ABAB is hinged at point BB and is kept in equilibrium by the string ACAC.
  • The rod is uniform, so its weight acts at its center of mass, which is at the midpoint of the rod.
  • The tension in the string and the reactions at the hinge at BB keep the system in equilibrium.

Let's break the problem into steps and calculate the tension in the string.

Step 1: Label the known values.

  • Length of the rod AB=8mAB = 8 \, \text{m}
  • Weight of the rod W=400NW = 400 \, \text{N}
  • Length of the string AC=6mAC = 6 \, \text{m}

Step 2: Geometrical considerations.

  • Let’s assume the point BB is on the wall vertically below point CC.
  • The horizontal distance between points BB and CC, denoted by BCBC, is 6 m (since the string is fully stretched and horizontal).
  • The rod makes an angle with the horizontal, and we can calculate it using geometry.

Step 3: Torque equilibrium.

The system is in static equilibrium, so the sum of torques about any point must be zero. Let's choose point BB as the pivot point to eliminate the reaction forces at the hinge.

The two forces causing torque are:

  1. The weight of the rod acting at its center of mass (at 4 m from point BB).
  2. The tension in the string acting at point AA.

Torque due to the weight of the rod:

The weight W=400NW = 400 \, \text{N} acts at the midpoint of the rod (4 m from point BB). The torque due to this force is: τweight=W×perpendicular distance from B\tau_{\text{weight}} = W \times \text{perpendicular distance from } B

The perpendicular distance is calculated using the angle between the rod and the horizontal, which we can find from the geometry.

Let’s calculate the angle of the rod first. The right triangle formed by AA, BB, and CC has:

  • AB=8mAB = 8 \, \text{m} (rod length)
  • BC=6mBC = 6 \, \text{m} (horizontal distance)

So, using Pythagoras' theorem: AC=AB2BC2=8262=6436=285.29mAC = \sqrt{AB^2 - BC^2} = \sqrt{8^2 - 6^2} = \sqrt{64 - 36} = \sqrt{28} \approx 5.29 \, \text{m}

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Static Equilibrium
Torque
Geometry
Pythagoras' Theorem

Formulas

Torque = Force × Perpendicular Distance
Pythagoras' Theorem: a^2 + b^2 = c^2

Theorems

Pythagoras' Theorem
Principle of Moments (Torque Equilibrium)

Suitable Grade Level

Grade 11-12 (Physics and Advanced Mathematics)