Question

In the Skycoaster amusement park ride, riders are suspended from a tower by a long cable. A second cable then lifts them until they reach the starting position indicated in (Figure 1). The lifting cable is then released, and the riders swing down the circular arc shown.

15° 26°

If the four riders have a total mass of 230 kg, what is the tension in the left cable just before release?

Express your answer with the appropriate units.

Answer 1

T₁ cos 15 = T₂ cos 26

T₁ = T₂ cos 26 / cos 15

T₁ = 0.930 T₂ ------------(1)

T₁ sin 15 + T₂ sin 26 = m g

substitute eqn(1)

(0.930 T_{2 )} sin 15 + T₂ sin 26 = 230 * 9.8

0.241 T₂ + 0.438 T₂ = 2254

Tension in right cable T₂ = 3319 N

substitute in eqn (1)

T₁ = 0.930 * 3319

Tension in left cable T₁ = 3087 N