Originally Posted By: paul

it is then divided by 4 because there are 4 arms extendig
downwards from the center.

so each arm gets 1000N


What physical theory are you using to find that?

Electric currents behave like that. Put 4000A into a conductor, split it 4 ways, and you'll find the total current in those 4 conductors is also 4000A. If it's symmetric (as yours is), then there'll be 1000A in each.

There's no such law for magnitudes of forces.


Quote:

it seems to easy but this is the way forces work.

Give me a reference.


A FBD would show what actually happens. I know you're afraid to draw one because you'll find you have to include forces that you pretended didn't exist.