Question

(a) Calculate the tension in a vertical strand of spiderweb if a spider of mass 7.00 ✕ 10-5 kg hangs motionless on it. 6.56e-4 Correct: Your answer is correct. N

(b) Calculate the tension in a horizontal strand of spiderweb if the same spider sits motionless in the middle of it much like the tightrope walker in Figure 4.13. The strand sags at an angle of 11.0° below the horizontal. ______________N

(c)Compare this with the tension in the vertical strand (find their ratio). (tension in horizontal strand / tension in vertical strand)

I was unable to attach the figure.

Answer 1

a) spider's weight = 9.8 x 7 x 10^-5 = 6.86 x 10^-4 N

Since the spider hangs motionless, hence there is no acceleration.

Then, Tension T = Weight = 6.86 x 10^-4 N

b) When the strand sags at an angle of 11^o below then horizontal, then

2T sin (t) = weight