Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

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

Chapter 5 - Force and Motion-I - Problems - Page 117: 16a

Answer

$$T / m g \approx 0.260$$

Work Step by Step

There are six legs, and the vertical component of the tension force in each leg is $T \sin \theta$ where $\theta=40^{\circ} .$ For vertical equilibrium (zero acceleration in the $y$ direction) then Newton's second law leads to $$ 6\ T \sin \theta=m g \Rightarrow T=\frac{m g}{6 \sin \theta} $$ $\text { which (expressed as a multiple of the bug's weight } m g)$ gives roughly $$T / m g \approx 0.260$$
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