Homework #5

• A suspension bridge is being built, and a long chain is suspended between the columns. The columns are of the same height h, and placed at a distance d (which is shorter than the chain's length l). If the coordinate origin is put at the surface of the water (h=0) half-way between the columns (with (y pointing up), what is the functional form describing the chain's shape? (This shape is called a `catenary', from Latin `catena', meaning `chain.') All chain links are identical and thus we can assume the same weight per unit length of the chain.
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