Two wires as shown in the figure below, made of steel and have breaking stress of 12 108 N/m2. Area of cross-section of upper wire is 0.008 cm2 and of lower wire is 0.004 cm2. The maximum mass that can be added to pan without breaking any wire is kg. [figure]
- 56
- 38
- 96
- 5.6
Answer
(2) 38
Solution
Let M be the mass added to the pan (taking g=10 m/s2, mass of the pan neglected).
Upper wire tension =(30+10+M)g; lower wire tension =(10+M)g
Breaking load of upper wire = A1=12 108 0.008 10-4=960 N
⇒ (40+M) 10 960 ⇒ M 56 kg
Breaking load of lower wire = A2=12 108 0.004 10-4=480 N
⇒ (10+M) 10 480 ⇒ M 38 kg
∵ Neither wire may break, the smaller limit decides.
∴ Mmax=38 kg
Answer: (2)