Is Tension Constant in a Massless String?

In summary, the tension in a massless string remains the same throughout its length because the forces acting on each tiny bit of the string are equal and opposite, resulting in a net force of zero. This means that the tension remains constant throughout the string.
  • #1
andyrk
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Why is tension in a massless string same throughout its length?
 
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  • #2
andyrk said:
Why is tension in a massless string same throughout its length?

Consider a massless string being pulled horizontally towards right.

The forces acting on a tiny bit of the string having mass Δm will be T1 towards right and T2 towards left.The force equation will be T2-T1=Δma where 'a' is the acceleration of the tiny bit of the string .Now since Δm=0 ∴ T2=T1 i.e tension on either side of any arbitrary mass of the string is zero.In other words tension throughout the string is constant.
 

1. What is tension in a massless string?

Tension in a massless string refers to the pulling force that is exerted on the string in order to keep it taut. It is a measure of the strength of the string and is typically measured in units of Newtons (N).

2. How can a string have tension if it has no mass?

While a massless string does not have any physical mass, it is still capable of transmitting tension because it is made up of particles that are connected and can transfer forces. This means that tension can still be applied to a massless string and it will behave as expected.

3. What factors affect the tension in a massless string?

The tension in a massless string is affected by the amount of force applied to the string, the length of the string, and the angle at which the string is pulled. The tension will increase as the force applied increases, and will decrease as the length of the string or the angle of pull increases.

4. Why is it important to consider tension in a massless string?

Tension is an important factor to consider in a massless string because it affects the overall stability and behavior of the string. If the tension is too high, the string may break or become unstable, while if the tension is too low, the string may become loose and not function as intended.

5. Can the tension in a massless string ever be completely eliminated?

In theory, the tension in a massless string can be eliminated if there is no external force acting on the string. However, in practical situations, there will always be some amount of tension present due to the weight of the string itself or other external forces such as gravity.

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