quote:
Originally posted by CookieRevised
Of course it is not 10Kg pulling on either side, but it IS evenly distributed. Hence there is no extra force pulling more on one side than it is on the other! That is basic (vector) math.
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#20Kg
No, because you are you are adding additional forces in different directions that aren't there in the original system. For example, the horizontal and vertical forces exerted by that chain create two new component forces acting down and towards the centre(which would acts against the slopes).
quote:
Originally posted by CookieRevised
The _all_ math exactly the criteria...
No they don't. The first 3 of your diagrams contain two slopes at the same angle as each other, Sam's criteria is that one be "flatter" (at a smaller angle to the horizontal) than a "steeper" slope (at a greater angle to the horizontal). Maybe *you* should look at it again.