The steel I-beam in the drawing has a weight of 5.22 × 103 N and is being lifted at a constant velocity. What is the tension in each cable attached to its ends?
To find the tension in each cable attached to the ends of the steel I-beam, we can use the concept of equilibrium. Since the I-beam is being lifted at a constant velocity, the forces on it must be balanced.
In this case, the weight of the I-beam acts downward, and the tension in the cables acts upward. Since the I-beam is not accelerating, the tension in each cable must be equal to the weight of the I-beam, but in the upward direction to counteract the weight.
To calculate the tension, we need to convert the weight from Newtons to kilograms using the acceleration due to gravity. The acceleration due to gravity is approximately 9.8 m/s^2.
Weight = mass × acceleration due to gravity
To find the mass,
mass = weight / acceleration due to gravity
First, convert 5.22 × 10^3 N to kilograms:
mass = 5.22 × 10^3 N / 9.8 m/s^2
Now, we can calculate the tension in each cable:
Tension = weight = mass × acceleration due to gravity
Substituting the values we found:
Tension = mass × acceleration due to gravity
Therefore, the tension in each cable attached to the ends of the steel I-beam is equal to the weight of the I-beam, which is 5.22 × 10^3 N.