Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 12 - Equilibrium and Elasticity - Questions - Page 344: 10b

Answer

Wire B exerts more force on the block.

Work Step by Step

We can consider the torque with respect to a rotation axis at the block's center of mass. There is a clockwise torque due to wire A and a counterclockwise torque due to wire B. Since the system is in equilibrium, the magnitudes of these two torques are equal. The magnitude of the torque due to wire A is equal to the magnitude of the torque due to wire B. Note that: $~~\tau = r_\perp F$ Since the horizontal distance from the block's center of mass to wire B is less than the horizontal distance from the block's center of mass to wire A, then wire B exerts more force on the block.
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