Tension Formula:
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Tension in a string at an angle refers to the force exerted along the string when it's supporting a mass at an angle to the vertical. This is a common physics problem involving forces and trigonometry.
The calculator uses the tension formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula accounts for the fact that only the vertical component of tension balances the weight of the object, requiring greater tension as the angle increases.
Details: Calculating tension at angles is crucial for engineering applications, safety assessments of suspended loads, and understanding force distribution in mechanical systems.
Tips: Enter mass in kilograms, gravity in m/s² (default is Earth's gravity 9.8 m/s²), and angle in degrees (0-90°). All values must be valid positive numbers.
Q1: Why does tension increase with angle?
A: As the angle increases, the vertical component of tension must still support the weight, requiring greater total tension in the string.
Q2: What happens at θ = 0°?
A: At 0° (vertical), tension equals the weight of the object (T = m × g).
Q3: What is the maximum practical angle?
A: The formula approaches infinity as θ approaches 90°, but practical angles are limited by material strength and stability.
Q4: Does this work for multiple strings?
A: For multiple strings at different angles, vector resolution is needed to find individual tensions.
Q5: How does friction affect the calculation?
A: This formula assumes ideal conditions without friction. In real systems, friction may affect the actual tension.