A particle P of weight W newtons is attached to one end of a light inextensible string - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Mechanics - Question 1 - 2014 - Paper 2

To find the tension in the string, we will resolve the forces acting on particle P horizontally and vertically. The horizontal force of 5 N must be balanced by the horizontal component of the tension T in the string. Using trigonometric relationships:

1. Resolve horizontally:

   $5 = T \cos(25^\circ)$

   Thus:

   $T = \frac{5}{\cos(25^\circ)}$

2. Calculate:

   ( \cos(25^\circ) \approx 0.9063 )

   So:

   $T \approx \frac{5}{0.9063} \approx 5.52 \text{ N}$

   Hence, the tension in the string is approximately 5.52 N.