One end of a rope is fixed to a vertical wall and the other end pulled by a horizontal force of 20 N. The shape of the flexible rope is shown in the figure. Find its mass.

Question

Accepted Answer

The puzzling aspect of the problem is that insufficient data have been given in the text. However, the figure can be used as a source of information. Using a protractor you can measure with sufficient accuracy that the tangent to the fixed end of the rope makes an angle of 30◦ with the vertical, as shown in the figure. This means that the tension at the fixed end of the rope is T = 20 N/ sin [latex] {{30}^{\omicron }} [/latex] = 40 N. Similarly, the weight of the rope is equal to the vertical component of the tension there; mg = T cos [latex] {{30}^{\omicron }} [/latex] = 34.6 N, giving the mass of the rope as m = 3.5 kg.
Note. Further information can be obtained from the figure. The centre of gravity of the rope must be vertically above point P because the lines of action of all three forces acting on the rope must meet at a single point.

Question : One end of a rope is fixed to a vertical wall and the other ...

This Question has been Answered.

Already have an account?

Login