A beam hung by two unequal cords bears equal load on each
Statics of a suspended beam, with a proposed figure and an experimental proof
The note states that a beam tied at its two ends and suspended by cords of different lengths will always deliver equal weight to each cord, provided the cords hang by a perpendicular line over their attachment points. Below, two drawings test the claim: at the left the proposed figure, a beam hung from a bar with a small weight; at the right a second beam labelled as a proof drawn from experiment, with a semicircular protractor construction sketched between them. The point a marks the proposed figure.
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Equal load on two cords of unequal length
A beam bound at its extremities and hung by cords of various lengths gives equal weight to each of the two cords, so long as they fall by a perpendicular line over its point of attachment. The length of the cord does not alter the share of the load.
Proposed figure and experimental proof
The claim is set beside its demonstration: a proposed figure at the left, marked a, and at the right a second hung beam described as a test made from experiment, with an arc marking the angles of the cords.