A flexible chain of weight W hangs between two fixed points A and B at the same level. The inclination of the chain with the horizontal at the two points of support is theta . What is the tension of the chain at the mid point.
Answers
Explanation:
rowseNotessearch
Search for any book or any question
Search
Science MENU
Q.A flexible chain of weight W hangs between two fixed points A and B which are at the same horizontal level.The inclination of the chain with the horizontal at both the points of support is...
Q.A flexible chain of weight W hangs between two fixed points A and B which are at the same horizontal level.The inclination of the chain with the horizontal at both the points of support is theta. What is the tension of chain at mid point?
A) W/2 cosec theta
B) W/2 tan theta
C) W/2 cot theta
D) none
print Print document PDF list Cite
Expert Answers info
JUSTAGUIDE eNotes educator | CERTIFIED EDUCATOR
The flexible chain that has a weight W hangs between two fixed points A and B which are at the same horizontal level. The inclination of the chain with the horizontal at both the points of support is theta .
The weight of the chain is a downward acting force at the center of mass of the chain which lies at the mid point. The tension in the chain is the same throughout the chain and is a force that equals the net force acting on the chain. If the tension is F, this can be divided into components in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. The force in the horizontal direction is F*cos theta this components cancels out. The vertical component is equal to 2*F*sin theta and this is equal to the weight of the chain W.
2*F*sin theta = W
=> F = W/(2*sin theta)
=> F = (W/2)*cosec theta
The tension in the chain is equal to (W/2)*cosec theta . The correct answer is option A.