Math Problem Statement

You are asked to hang a uniform beam and sign using a cable that has a breaking strength of 417 N. The store owner desires that it hang out over the sidewalk as shown. The sign has a weight of 237 N and the beam’s weight is 79.8 N. The beam’s length is 1.50 m and the sign’s dimensions are 1.00 m horizontally × 0.800 m vertically. What is the minimum angle θ that you can have between the beam and cable?

Solution

We are given the problem of hanging a beam and sign using a cable with a breaking strength of 417 N. To find the minimum angle θ\theta between the beam and the cable, we need to consider the forces and torques acting on the system. Here's a breakdown of the problem:

Known Values:

  • Breaking strength of cable Tmax=417NT_{\text{max}} = 417 \, \text{N}
  • Weight of the sign Wsign=237NW_{\text{sign}} = 237 \, \text{N}
  • Weight of the beam Wbeam=79.8NW_{\text{beam}} = 79.8 \, \text{N}
  • Length of the beam Lbeam=1.50mL_{\text{beam}} = 1.50 \, \text{m}
  • Sign's horizontal dimension dsign=1.00md_{\text{sign}} = 1.00 \, \text{m}
  • Sign's vertical dimension hsign=0.800mh_{\text{sign}} = 0.800 \, \text{m}

Step 1: Forces Acting on the Beam

The forces acting on the system are:

  • The tension TT in the cable at some angle θ\theta.
  • The weight of the sign Wsign=237NW_{\text{sign}} = 237 \, \text{N}, applied at the end of the beam.
  • The weight of the beam Wbeam=79.8NW_{\text{beam}} = 79.8 \, \text{N}, applied at its center (since the beam is uniform).
  • The reaction force at the wall FwallF_{\text{wall}}, which has both horizontal and vertical components, Fwall,xF_{\text{wall,x}} and Fwall,yF_{\text{wall,y}}, respectively.

Step 2: Torque Calculation

To maintain equilibrium, the sum of the torques about the pivot point (where the beam is attached to the wall) must be zero. We'll assume counterclockwise torques as positive and clockwise torques as negative.

The torque due to the weight of the beam is:

= 79.8 \, \text{N} \times \frac{1.50 \, \text{m}}{2} = 59.85 \, \text{N} \cdot \text{m}$$ The torque due to the weight of the sign is: $$\tau_{\text{sign}} = W_{\text{sign}} \times L_{\text{beam}} = 237 \, \text{N} \times 1.50 \, \text{m} = 355.5 \, \text{N} \cdot \text{m}$$ The torque due to the tension in the cable must balance these torques. If the cable is attached at the end of the beam, the perpendicular distance from the pivot to the cable is $$L_{\text{beam}} \sin \theta$$. The torque due to the tension is: $$\tau_{\text{tension}} = T \times L_{\text{beam}} \sin \theta = T \times 1.50 \, \text{m} \times \sin \theta$$ ### Step 3: Setting Up the Torque Equilibrium For rotational equilibrium, the sum of the torques must be zero: $$T \times 1.50 \, \text{m} \times \sin \theta = 59.85 \, \text{N} \cdot \text{m} + 355.5 \, \text{N} \cdot \text{m}$$ $$T \times 1.50 \, \text{m} \times \sin \theta = 415.35 \, \text{N} \cdot \text{m}$$ $$T \times \sin \theta = \frac{415.35 \, \text{N} \cdot \text{m}}{1.50 \, \text{m}} = 276.9 \, \text{N}$$ ### Step 4: Solving for $$\theta$$ The tension in the cable cannot exceed the breaking strength, so: $$T \leq T_{\text{max}} = 417 \, \text{N}$$ Substitute $$T = 417 \, \text{N}$$ into the equation: $$417 \times \sin \theta = 276.9 \, \text{N}$$ $$\sin \theta = \frac{276.9}{417} = 0.664$$ $$\theta = \arcsin(0.664) \approx 41.66^\circ$$ ### Final Answer: The minimum angle $$\theta$$ between the beam and the cable is approximately $$41.66^\circ$$. --- Would you like further clarification or details on any part of the solution? ### Related Questions: 1. What would happen if the cable's breaking strength was lower than 417 N? 2. How would the angle $$\theta$$ change if the sign's weight was increased? 3. What forces act on the wall in this setup? 4. How would the problem change if the beam was not uniform? 5. How does the position of the sign affect the tension in the cable? ### Tip: Always check the breaking strength of materials in tension-related problems to avoid failures due to overloading!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Statics
Trigonometry
Torque
Equilibrium

Formulas

Torque formula: τ = F × r × sin(θ)
Equilibrium condition: Στ = 0
Tension relation: T × sin(θ) = torque / distance
Sine function: sin(θ) = opposite / hypotenuse

Theorems

Rotational Equilibrium Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12