Article 31
The Catenary

A flexible inextensible string is suspended from two fixed points, and takes up a position of equilibrium under the action of gravity. It is required to find the equation of the curve in which it hangs.

Let $w$ be the weight of unit length, and $s$ the length of arc $AP$ measured from the lowest point $A$; then $ws$ is the weight of the portion $AP$. This is balanced by the terminal tensions, $T$ acting in the tangent line at $P$, and $H$ in the horizontal tangent. Resolving horizontally and vertically gives

in which $\phi$ is the inclination of the tangent at $P$; hence

where $c$ is written for $\frac{H}{w}$, the length whose weight is the constant horizontal tension; therefore

which is the required equation of the catenary, referred to an axis of $x$ drawn at a distance $c$ below $A$.

The following trigonometric method illustrates the use of the gudermanian: The “intrinsic equation,” $s=ctan\phi$, gives $ds=c{sec}^2\phi d\phi$; hence $dx=dscos\phi =csec\phi d\phi$; $dy=dssin\phi =csec\phi tan\phi d\phi$; thus $x=c{gd}^{-1}\phi ,y=csec\phi$; whence $\frac{y}{c}=sec\phi =secgd\frac{x}{c}=cosh\frac{x}{c}$; and $\frac{s}{c}=tangd\frac{x}{c}=sinh\frac{x}{c}$.

Numerical Exercise.—A chain whose length is 30 feet is suspended from two points 20 feet apart in the same horizontal; find the parameter $c$, and the depth of the lowest point.

The equation $\frac{s}{c}=sinh\frac{x}{c}$ gives $\frac{15}{c}=sinh\frac{10}{c}$, which, by putting $\frac{10}{c}=z$, may be written $1.5z=sinhz$. By examining the intersection of the graphs of $y=sinhz$, $y=1.5z$, it appears that the root of this equation is $z=1.6$, nearly. To find a closer approximation to the root, write the equation in the form , then, by the tables,

whence, by interpolation, it is found that , and $z=1.6221$, $c=\frac{10}{z}=6.1649$. The ordinate of either of the fixed points is given by the equation

from tables; hence $y=16.2174$, and required depth of the vertex $=y-c=10.0525$ feet.¹⁴

Prob. 91.

In the above numerical problem, find the inclination of the terminal tangent to the horizon.

Prob. 92.

If a perpendicular $MN$ be drawn from the foot of the ordinate to the tangent at $P$, prove that $MN$ is equal to the constant $c$, and that $NP$ is equal to the arc $AP$. Hence show that the locus of $N$ is the involute of the catenary, and has the property that the length of the tangent, from the point of contact to the axis of $x$, is constant. (This is the characteristic property of the tractory).

Prob. 93.

The tension $T$ at any point is equal to the weight of a portion of the string whose length is equal to the ordinate $y$ of that point.

Prob. 94.

An arch in the form of an inverted catenary¹⁵ is $30$ feet wide and $10$ feet high; show that the length of the arch can be obtained from the equations $coshz-\frac{2}{3}z=i$, $2s=\frac{30}{z}sinhz$.