Question

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 ?

Answer 1

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

Explanation:

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)`