Question 1032884
Chaz is using a rope tied to his tractor to remove an old tree stump from a field.  Which method given below, a or b, will result in the greatest force applied to the stump?  Assume that the tractor will exert the same amount of force using either method. 
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Compare it to a wire strung horizontally supported at each end.
Putting a weight on the wire means the weight is subject to 3 forces:
1) gravity, 
2) the tension of the wire to the left, and 
3) to the right.
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The vector sum of the 3 forces has to equal zero for equilibrium.
W = weight
T1 is the tension to the left,
T2 tension to the right.
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If the weight bends the wire at the support point so that the angle = eg, 178 degrees, the vertical component of the wire's tension is T1*cos(89)
T1 = T2
W/2 = T1*cos(89)
T1 = W/(2*cos(89))
T1 = T2 =~ 28.65*W
A much greater force.