Question

A flexible chain of weight W hangs between two fixed points A & B which are the same horizontal level. The inclination of the chain with the horizontal at both the points of support is θ. What is the tension of the chain at the mid point ?

Answer 1

Answer:

The weight of the chain is a downward acting force at the centre of mass of the chain which less 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⋅cosθ this components cancels out.

The vertical components is equal to 2⋅F⋅sinθ and this is equal to the weight of the chain W.