A heavy plank of mass 100 kg hangs on three vertical wires of equal length arranged symmetrically (see figure). All the wires have the same cross-section. The middle wire is of steel and the other two are of copper. The modulus of elasticity of steel is assumed to be double that of copper. Determine the tensions in the wire. ( use g = 9 . 8 m s - 2 )

Step-by-step solution

Let tension in copper and steel wires are T cu and T st . Assuming same strain (due to heavy plank) we note that Y steel = T ⁡ st L ⁡ A ⁡ Δ L ⁡ and or T ⁡ st T ⁡ cu = Y ⁡ steel Y ⁡ cu = 2 given or T ⁡ st = 2 T ⁡ cu Further, T st + 2 T cu = 100 kg ( given ) or 2 T cu + 2 T cu = 100 kg or T cu = 25 kg And therefore, T st = 2 T cu = 50 kg Thus T cu is T cu = 25 kgf = 245 N and T st = 50 kgf = 490 N