Solution to Equilibrium Example

"Pepi & the Cake"

Solution:
We need to find the maximum mass that the string can handle before either the string breaks or the cake starts to slide along the table top.

There are three free body diagrams to consider.

FBD1:

Cake  F_{s                            Tc}                               F_s = Force on the String
                                                              T_c = Tension in the string due to the cake
                                                              T_c   =  F_s

_FBD2:                                                               T_h            µ=0. 6
 

T_c                                     30⁰

                                                T_m

T_h = Tension in the string from the refrigerator handle
T_m = Tension in the string due to mouse's weight
T_c = Tension in the string due to the cake