Hanging Chains and the Catenary Function

If you take a chain, hold it by two points at the same

height, and watch the work of gravity, you will get a
smooth curve, quite similar to a parabola. Indeed, it was
once mistaken to be a parabola. However, it is not
parabola in spite of its tricky appearance. In fact, a hanging chain
follows the catenary curve.
Over the years, many famous mathematicians have
contributed to our understanding of the chain-curves
formed when chains, ropes, or cables hang freely from their
ends. Galilieo Gallilei (15641642) claimed wrongly that
the curve is a parabola, rather like an upside-down version
of the curve associated with a path of a ball thrown from
one person to another. In 1691, mathematicians Gottfried
Wilhelm von Leibniz (16461716), Christian Huygens
(16291695), and Johann Bernouilli (16671748) found the
equation of the chain curve that they named a catenary, from
the Latin word for chain.
PART A:
Hanging chain
Examine a hanging chain and collect data that will provide the appropriate information
to determine function/s that represent the curve (chain/time provided in class);
document the curve formed, parameters controlled and the curves associated
coordinates/shape. Using the data that you have collected, the Parabola vs Catenary
GeoGebra file, and any other technology to mathematically match the curve observed
to both a parabolic function ( y=a1 x 2 +b1 x+ c1 ) and catenary function

a
y= e a +e
2

x
a

) +c )

PART B:
Analysis of functions developed
Examine the photographs provided to you. Choose one from group A and one from
group B. Match the curves of your choice to a parabolic function and a catenary
function.
Detail which function best fit your curves of the two photos. Justify your decisions.
Make a comparison between parabolas and catenary curves. Discuss which function
fits best for each situation. Include a discussion on the strengths and limitations
experienced in developing your functions.
Discuss the effects of any assumptions made when deciding that a curve falls under
the shape of a catenary curve or a parabola.
PART C:
Further Properties of Catenary curves:
Research the formula to calculate the arc length of a catenary curve.

a
y= e a + e a
2
to the arc length of the catenary over that interval equals a, independent of the interval
selected

Over any horizontal interval, the ratio of the area under the catenary

Discuss this statement; use appropriate catenary curves and calculations to show that
this is the case for any horizontal interval. Show your working/diagrams/graphs used.