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Calculating Tension In A String At An Angle

Tension Formula:

\[ T = \frac{m \times g}{\cos(\theta)} \]

kg
m/s²
degrees

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1. What Is Tension In A String At An Angle?

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.

2. How Does The Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the tension formula:

\[ T = \frac{m \times g}{\cos(\theta)} \]

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.

3. Importance Of Tension Calculation

Details: Calculating tension at angles is crucial for engineering applications, safety assessments of suspended loads, and understanding force distribution in mechanical systems.

4. Using The Calculator

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.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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.

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