1. What is Tension Force At An Angle?

Definition: This calculator determines the tension force in a string or cable when an object is suspended at an angle.

Purpose: It helps physics students and engineers understand and calculate the increased tension that occurs when objects are not hanging vertically.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( T \) — Tension force (Newtons, N)
• \( m \) — Mass of the object (kilograms, kg)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (m/s²)
• \( \theta \) — Angle from vertical (degrees)

Explanation: The vertical component of tension must balance the object's weight, so tension increases as the angle increases.

3. Importance of Tension Calculation

Details: Proper tension calculation ensures safety in construction, engineering, and physics experiments involving suspended objects.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the mass in kg, gravity (default 9.81 m/s²), and angle (0-90°). The angle must be less than 90 degrees.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does tension increase with angle?
A: At an angle, the tension must counteract both vertical and horizontal forces, requiring greater total tension than when hanging straight down.

Q2: What happens at 90 degrees?
A: The formula breaks down at exactly 90° (cos(90°)=0), as this would require infinite tension to keep the object stationary.

Q3: How is this different from vertical tension?
A: Vertical tension is simply T=mg. The angled version divides by cos(θ), always giving a larger value than the vertical case.

Q4: What if there are multiple angles?
A: For complex systems with multiple angles, you would need to analyze each segment separately using vector components.

Q5: Does this account for string/cable weight?
A: No, this assumes a massless string. For heavy cables, additional calculations would be needed.