Answer :
Final answer:
The anchor point for a lifeline, particularly in rock climbing or mountaineering, must support significant force for each safety line. This involves using anchors in a configuration that reduces stress, usually advising an angle under 90° to maintain safety.
Explanation:
The anchor point for a lifeline must be capable of supporting a significant amount of force for each safety line attached to it. In the context of rock climbing, when a climber uses anchors, they opt for redundancy by using more than one, which adds extra strength and safety in case one fails. Typically, anchors are arranged in a manner where they form a symmetric "Y" at an angle θ, with the usual advice being to keep θ under 90° to reduce the stress on the anchors. The force on each anchor (Σ) in terms of the load (L) and angle (θ) can be determined through physics principles that consider the distribution of force and the angles at which the forces act.
As the angle θ increases, especially beyond 90°, the stress (Σ) on each anchor escalates sharply, potentially making the setup less safe than having a single anchor. This increase in stress highlights the critical balance between angle and force applied to the anchors. When θ approaches 180°, the concept indicates that the stress on the anchors would theoretically approach infinity, posing a significant risk. Therefore, climbers are advised to maintain θ well below 90° to ensure the safety and integrity of the anchoring system.
