Question

A massive light hangs over the table in Jeremy's dining room. The light is supported by four strong chains which make an angle of 72° with the horizontal. The force in each chain is 36.4 N. Determine the mass of the light in kilograms (kg). Use the approximation g ≈ 10 m/s^2.

Answer 1

Given

A massive light hangs over the table in Jeremy's dining room. The light is supported by four strong chains which make an angle of 72° with the horizontal.

The force in each chain is F=36.4 N.

To find

The mass of the light in kg

Explanation

Let the mass of the light be m

The weight of the light acts downwards.

To balance thisi force the force on the string vertically upward is considered

In equillibrium

$\begin{gathered} mg=4Fsin72^o \\ \Rightarrow10m=4\times36.4\times sin72^o \\ \Rightarrow m=13.84\text{ kg} \end{gathered}$

Conclusion

The mass of the light is 13.84 kg