Question

A window washer is standing on a scaffold supported by vertical ropes at each end. The scaffold weighs 200. N and is 3.00 m long. What is the tension in each rope when the 700. N worker stands 1.00 m from one end?

Answer 1

Tension in ropes are 333.33 N and 566.67 N.

Explanation:

Refer the given figure showing the arrangement.

For having stability we have torque at A and B are zero.

        Sum of Torques at A = 0

        700 x 1 + 200 x 1.5 - Q x 3 = 0

                               3Q = 1000

                                  Q = 333.33 N

        Sum of Torques at B = 0

        200 x 1.5 + 700 x 2 - P x 3 = 0

                               3P = 1700

                                  P = 566.67 N  

Tension in ropes are 333.33 N and 566.67 N.