Answer to Question #239685 in Physics for ash

Question

A 75.0-kg wrecking ball hangs from a uniform heavy-duty chain having a mass of 26.0 kg. (a) Find the maximum and minimum tension in the chain. (b) What is the tension at a point three-fourths of the way up from the bottom of the chain?

Answer 1

The maximum tension in the chain is where the chain is attached to the hinge because there is weight of the chain and ball applied:

$$T_\text{max}=mg+Mg=990\text N.$$

The minimum tension is where the ball attached to the chain because there's weight of the ball only:

$$T_\text{min}=Mg=735\text N.$$

The tension at a point three-fourth from the bottom:

$$T=Mg+\frac34mg=926\text N.$$