CATENARY

Catenary

In physics and geometry, a catenary[[#Notes|1]] is the curve that an idealized hanging chain or cable assumes under its own weight when supported only at its ends. The curve has a U-like shape, superficially similar in appearance to a parabola . It also appears in the design of certain types of arches and as a cross section of the catenoid—the shape assumed by a soap film bounded by two parallel circular rings.

The above text is a snippet from Wikipedia: Catenary
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catenary

Noun

  1. The curve described by a flexible chain or a rope if it is supported at each end and is acted upon only by no other forces than a uniform gravitational force due to its own weight.
  2. The curve of an anchor cable from the seabed to the vessel; it should be horizontal at the anchor so as to bury the flukes.
  3. A system of overhead power lines that provide trains, trolleys, buses, etc., with electricity, having a straight conductor wire and a bowed suspension cable.

<gallery> File:Catenary-pm.png|Diagram of geometric representation of catenaries File: Floating loose mooring catenary plain.svg|Example of a bouy floating in the water with the mooring lines being in catenary curve shapes File:Oberleitung der italienischen Bahn am Bahnhof Lucca.jpg|Catenary cable for a railroad line. </gallery>

Adjective

  1. Relating to a chain; like a chain.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: catenary
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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