Carrying household appliances can be very difficult due to the weight and size. Some movers place the appliance on a dolly and move it around, however this can cause damage to floors, and it also does not work on stairs. A new technique is to utilize moving straps. These allow the movers to easily maneuver the appliance from the back of the truck to the location inside your home. If the washer has a weight of 800N and the straps make a 30 degree angle with the vertical, then what is the tension in the strap? When using these straps, a horizontal force is typically applied to the top of the appliance. Why?
To calculate the tension in the strap, we can use the force components along the vertical axis.
Given that the weight of the washer is 800N and the angle between the strap and the vertical is 30 degrees, we can use trigonometry to determine the vertical component of the tension in the strap.
The vertical component of the tension can be found by using the formula:
Tension_vertical = Weight * cos(angle)
Tension_vertical = 800N * cos(30 degrees)
Tension_vertical = 800N * 0.866
Tension_vertical ≈ 692.8N
Therefore, the tension in the strap along the vertical axis is approximately 692.8 Newtons.
Now, let's address why a horizontal force is typically applied to the top of the appliance when using these straps.
When lifting heavy objects, it is important to distribute the weight properly to ensure stability and ease of movement. By applying a horizontal force to the top of the appliance, the movers can counteract the torque created by the vertical weight of the appliance.
The torque in this case is caused by the gravitational force acting on the center of mass of the washer. The torque tends to make the appliance rotate around the point where the straps are attached and may make it difficult to control or move the appliance.
By applying a horizontal force to the top of the appliance, the movers can create a counter-torque that balances the torque caused by the vertical weight. This helps in maintaining stability and controlling the movement of the appliance during transport.