Question

A weight $w$ is suspended from the midpoint 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 $m g=2 T \cos \theta T=\frac{m g}{2 \cos \theta}$ For the string to be horizontal $\theta \rightarrow 90^{\circ}$ $\therefore T=\frac{m g}{2 \cos 90^{\circ}}$ $\Rightarrow T \rightarrow \infty$