scaffold has a mass of 21.6 kg and is 2.5 m long,and is held on both ends by a vertical rope. what is tension?
21.6 x 10 = 216 N 216/2 = 108 N each rope
The smartaleck answer: Google 'define:tension' The real answer: 21.6 kg*G (gravity constant)=something N (Newtons). By Newton's 3rd law, forces act in equal but opposite pairs, so the weight of the scaffold is offset by the two vertical ropes, so each rope takes half of the force, which means (something N)/2 is the force in each rope. If I'm not mistaken, I don't think the length matters, because you're not calculating torque here. Note: I said something so you would not just copy down the answer! :)
