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CornMuffin
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Homework Statement
Two carts can slide along a horizontal rail without friction. The carts are connected:
(a) by an elastic spring of spring constant k and unstretched length l;
(b) by a chain of length l and linear density p.
The spring is going along the rail, the chain hangs in the vertical plane.
[PLAIN]http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/3803/project1f.jpg
Find the equation for the equilibrium distance, d, between the carts.
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
In the y direction:
F=0
lpg=2TsinA where A is the angle the chain makes with the spring
T=lpg/(2sinA)
In the x direction:
F=0
k(l-d)=lpg/(2tanA)
d=l-lpg/(2ktanA)
If I can find an equation that models the chain, then I can find the angle, but I am having trouble with the equation.
A catenary can be used to model it, which I believe is in the form (but I can be wrong):
f(x)=acosh(x/a), but I don't know how to find a value for of a
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