Experiment 111-7

Tension in a Cord
Introduction
You may have seen pictures of a person trying to restrain a horse by holding on to a rope attached to the horses bridle. Some students with a rural background may have had occasion to do this. If the horse is making any sort of a serious attempt to pull away, he or she can indeed be very difficult to restrain. One strategy that can be employed to reduce the tension in the rope for the person holding it is for that person to snub the rope around a post. That is, the person can wrap the rope around a post for a couple of turns. Then, when the horse pulls back on the rope, the force of friction between the rope and the post will reduce the tension on the other end of the rope and the person will require less force to hold on to the rope. In this experiment we will be examining such a situation. We will study how the tension on the end of a cord varies with the angle at which it is wrapped around a cylinder.

Theory
This theoretical analysis can be fully understood and completed only if you have some understanding of integral calculus. Specifically, you must know and understand the equation

dx = ln x + k x

(7.1)

where x is some variable and k is a constant of integration. Consider a segment of string s at some angular distance from the beginning of contact with a cylinder as shown in Figure 7.1. Suppose that the string is moving in the direction of To as shown in the figure at some constant speed. At an angular distance , the tension in the string is T. At the angular distance +, the tension is T +T. If the motion of the string is in the direction of To, then at + the tension will be less than it is at because of the friction between the cord and the cylinder. T will, therefore, be negative.
Figure 7.1: Forces on a Cord

in Contact with a Cylinder

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Tension in a Cord

Experiment 111-7
The segment of the string can be considered to be in equilibrium if it is moving at a constant speed slowly enough for the centripetal acceleration to be zero. This means that the forces on the segment of string balance. From the Figure 7.2, it can be seen that

T + T + F = T

(7.2)

where F is the frictional force between the string and the cylinder. From Equation (7.2) we can write
T = F
Figure 7.2: Forces on a Cord

(7.3)

The frictional force between the string and the cylinder is F = N (7.4)

where N is the normal force between the string and the cylinder and is a constant called the coefficient of friction. The normal force arises because the tensions on the two ends of the element of string act at a small angle, with respect to each other. A vector diagram of the forces acting on the string is drawn in Figure 7.3. If the angle is very small, then the vector N is nearly equal to the cord length. Thus, we can write
= N T

(7.5)

Now combine equations (7.3), (7.4) and (7.5) to get

Figure 7.3: Forces on a Cord

T = T

(7.6)

If the terms in Equation (7.6) are rearranged and the quantities T and are allowed to approach the limits of dT and d respectively, then we can write
dT = d T

(7.7)

It is left to you to finish the theoretical analysis. To do so, integrate Equation (7.7) using the form given in Equation (7.1). The integration constant can be evaluated by substituting T = T0 and = 0 into the equation. This indicates that at =0, the tension has some initial value which we are calling T0. Finally, take the inverse logarithm of all of the terms in the equation. Your final equation should be in the same form as the exponential equation (4.5) in 4.5 of the Laboratory Companion, which you should read before doing this experiment.

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Tension in a Cord

Experiment 111-7

Purpose
The primary purpose of this experiment is to experimentally determine the relationship between the tension, T in a cord slowly sliding over the surface of a cylinder and the angle , that the cord makes contact with the cylinder. A secondary objective of the experiment is to determine the coefficient of friction between the cord and the cylinder.

Procedure
The apparatus used in this experiment consists of a vertically mounted board, on which is fastened an aluminum cylinder, similar to that pictured in Figure 7.2. Lines are drawn on the board tangent to the cylinder at intervals of /4 radians.

Figure 7.2 : Experimental Setup

Make sure that the spring scales are properly zeroed. If a scale doesnt read zero when held vertically without a load, grasp the metal tab at the top of the scale and slide it up or down as required. Hang a 1.5 kg mass from a length of cord (fish line) and attach a spring scale to the other end of the cord. Pass the cord over the cylinder on the apparatus as shown in Figure 7.2. Allow the mass to descend slowly at a constant velocity (because we are concerned with the sliding friction between the cord and the cylinder). Read the tension (in Newtons) as indicated by the spring scale while the mass is descending. Follow the above procedure for angles from 0 to 4 radians in intervals of /4 radians. (Record all values of in radians, not degrees.) Do two or three trials for each angle and average 29

Tension in a Cord

Experiment 111-7

the tension readings for each angle. The uncertainty in the tension should be estimated. Record all of your data in tabular form. Plot a graph of T versus . You should find that the points on this graph lie along a slightly curved line. The line is not straight because the relationship between T and is an exponential one. Follow the procedures outlined in 4.5 of the Laboratory companion to determine the equation that defines this relationship. It will involve plotting a graph of ln T versus , on semi-log graph paper. Compare the above equation to the one you obtained by theoretical analysis. One of the constants of the equation is equal to the coefficient of friction between the cord and the cylinder. Record this value.

Some Points for Discussion

What effect would using a larger or a smaller mass on the end of the cord have on each of the two constants in the equation? What effect would using a rougher or a smoother cylinder have on each of the constants in the equation? Why do you suppose the instructions recommend taking more than one tension reading at each angle and averaging the results? Would it help to wrap the cord around a cylinder if you were trying to pull an object towards you? Explain your answer.

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