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GoGoGadget
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Homework Statement
You are a member of a medical forensics team
investigating a fatal accident at a freight
yard. A new crane for lifting cargo broke
while lifting a package and the police suspect
sabotage. The crane consists of 45.0 kg, 15 ft
lightweight aluminum bar supported at its
base by a hinge that allows the bar to pivot
vertically. A support cable runs from the
other end of the bar to the ground. When the
hinge failed, the bar was at an angle of 45° to
the ground and the support cable was at an
angle of 30° to the ground. The yard owner
says it is impossible for this to be an accident
since the hinge is rated to support a force of
three times the weight of the 225 kg package
that was being lifted. The package was lifted
straight up from the end of the bar at a
constant speed.
Homework Equations
Torque = Force x Length
Weight = Mass x Gravity
ƩFx = 0
ƩFy = 0
ƩT = 0
T = Torque
The Attempt at a Solution
I'm having trouble setting up the picture for this problem. I understand how to solve for forces and am still getting comfortable with torque but I'm having a difficult time drawing out the picture for this problem as I felt like the information given was a bit vague. Any help is appreciated!