IB Physics SL A.2.8 Tension

Practise drawing tension along each taut string and solving its components for connected blocks, hanging loads or inclined motion without assuming every string carries the same…

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Objective
—
Level
SL

Exam points

  • draw tension away from the body along the string and resolve it into the selected axes
  • apply F = ma separately to connected bodies to determine tension and common acceleration
  • explain why nearly horizontal support strings require large tension to provide a fixed vertical component

A.2.8—Tension question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

This question is about the forces on a skier.

A skier is pulled up a hill by a rope at a steady velocity. The hill makes an angle of 12∘12^{\circ} with the horizontal. The mass of the skier and skis is 73 kg . The diagram below shows three of the forces acting on the skier.

Figure for Question A.2.8—Tension question 1 — IB Physics SL

The total frictional force acting is 65 N . Determine the tension in the rope.

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