Chapter 11, Problem 11.80P

Pyramid Guilders. Ancient pyramid builders are balancing a uniform rectangular slab of stone tipped at an angle θ above the horizontal using a rope (Fig. P11.80). The rope is held by five workers who share the force equally, (a) If θ = 20.0°, what force does each worker exert on the rope? (b) As θ increases, does each worker have to exert more or less force than in part (a), assuming they do not change the angle of the rope? Why? (c) At what angle do the workers need to exert no force to balance the slab? What happens if θ exceeds this value?