Question

The scaffold weighs 267 N and is 4.13 m long. Assume the window washer stands 1.05 m from the left end. What is the tension in the rope on the right? What is the tension in the rope on the left? Answer in units of N

Answer 1

The question seems incomplete. As the weight of the washer is not provided.

This is torque problem. Let the pivot point be at the left end. The weight of the scaffold is at its center.

½ * 4.13 = 2.065 meters

This is the distance from the left end. The weights of the window washer and scaffold will produce clockwise torque. The tension in the on the right will produce counter clockwise torque.

Weight of the washer is not provided. Taking it to be w

For the window washer, torque = w * 1.05 = 1.05w
For the scaffold, torque = 267 * 2.065 = 551.355
Total = 551.355 + 1.05w
For the rope, torque = T * 4.13

T * 4.13 = 551.355 + 1.05w
T = (551.355 + 1.05w)/4.13

The tension in the ropes should support the weight of the scaffold and washer
So
Tl + Tr = (267 + w)
ANd hence, you can find out the tension in the left rope also.