A window washer is standing on a scaffold supported by a vertical rope at each end. The scaffold weighs 200 N and is 3.00 m long. What is the tension in each rope when the 700-N worker stands 1.00 m from one end?

T₁ = 566.67 N, T₂ = 333.33 N

Explanation:

given,

weight of scaffold = 200 N

Length of the scaffold = 3 m

Weight of worker = 700 N

distance of worker from Tension 1 rope = 1 m

we need to calculate T₁ and T₂

as the system is in equilibrium

∑ F_v = 0

T₁ + T₂ = 700 N + 200 N ... (1)

moment in the system will also be zero

∑ M = 0

taking moment about T₁

now,

T₂ x 3 - 700 x 1 - 200 x 1.5 = 0

T₂ = 333.33 N

from equation 1

T₁ = 900 - 333.33

T₁ = 566.67 N

hence, tension on the rope is T₁ = 566.67 N, T₂ = 333.33 N