A heavy block of mass M hangs in equilibrium at the end of a rope of mass m and length l connected to a ceiling . Determine the tension in the rope at a distance x from the ceiling ?

1 Answer
Oct 19, 2016

#T(x) = g ( M + (l - x)/l m)#

Explanation:

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The Tension T is supporting

  • the mass #M# of the block

  • that mass of the rope belonging to the length #l - x#. Assuming even distribution of mass along the rope, that mass is #(l - x)/l m#

This we can say that

#T(x) = g ( M + (l - x)/l m)#