Question

A weight $w$ is suspended from, the mid-point of a rope, whose ends are at the same level. In order to make the rope perfectly horizontal, the force applied to each of its ends must be

• A. less than w
• B. equal to w
• C. equal to 2w
• D. infinitely large

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

infinitely large

Answer 2

For equilibrium of body $\, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, mg = 2T \cos \theta$ $\therefore \, \, \, \, \, T = \frac{mg}{2\cos \theta}$ For the string to be horizontal, $\theta \rightarrow 90^\circ$ $\therefore \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, T = \frac{mg}{2 \cos \, 90^\circ} \Rightarrow T \rightarrow \infty$