Maximum load a steel cable can support under stress

Practice question

Question

A steel cable of radius 0.02 m is used to lift a load. If the maximum stress it can withstand is 1 × 108 N/m2, what is the maximum load it can support? (Take π ≈ 3.14)

Options

Choose one · Correct answer highlighted

1 × 105 N 1.256 × 105 N Correct 1.5 × 105 N 2 × 105 N

Explanation

Stress: Stress = F / A. Area: A = π r2 = 3.14 × (0.02)2 = 3.14 × 0.0004 = 1.256 × 10-3 m2. Maximum force: F = Stress × A = 1 × 108 × 1.256 × 10-3 = 1.256 × 105 N.

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