Physics question

petrym

I'm withholding my answer until this one gets settled: Chemistry/math problem quick help

Ricardo

No difference; both ropes will have the same strength and break with the same load.

Because I know.

beardog03

so what did teach say..?

HBombToo

The shorter rope would support more weight than the longer because the longer rope would actually be heavier than the shorter thus decreasing the total.

Sounds like me and ND's physics lessons from 20 years ago stuck... must be due to the increased length of beer drinking time :>)

Sami

organ wrote:

Let's see... When I used to smoke up, I rolled long and short joints. While smoking, the longer joint would sometimes loose it's stiffness and bend towards the ground a little. Never had this problem with short ones. And I'm talking same rolling paper/same weed here.

That thing you rolled would be of horizontal length while the rope would be vertical, different things.

unc2701

With a perfect rope in a vertical orientation the only difference is the weight of the longer rope- thus the shorter rope can hold more weight.

In the real world, you have additional factors:
1)Statistically the probably of failure is greater on the longer rope, because it has a greater number of failure points. let's say the average breakage level at a point is 10 pounds- however, some are 12 lbs, some are 8lbs... and some are 6lbs- you're more likely to see that six pound one in a longer rope.

2)you never have a perfect vertical load and the longer the rope, the more leverage can be exerted to cause a failure.

Tex

I say they are the same. I think rope strength is determined by material and circumference, not length. But what do I know, I'm new to this forum and I still have a lot to learn

audiobliss

The physics teacher said that there is no difference in their 'weight-holding-capablities'. They exactly the same.

So,......I was wrong.....*sigh*

Polkersince85

Good explanation of tensile strenght.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tensile_strength