Problem

Two schemes are shown for hanging a large number of flowerpots side by side on an outdoor...

Two schemes are shown for hanging a large number of flowerpots side by side on an outdoor porch. The flowerpots are to have 60 cm spacing. Each flowerpot weighs 175N.

(a) Determine the force in wire AB.

(b) Determine the forces in wires CD and CE.

(c) Compared to the scheme using one wire, the scheme using two wires may be more resistant to adjacent flowerpots hilling one another in high winds. Do you believe this statement is valid? Explain. Hint: Consider the application of a horizontal wind force P to points A and C. Then compare the values of P needed to produce the same horizontal displacement of, say, 10 cm.