A flexible cable of length L and total mass M hangs over a thin slippery horizontal rod. (The rod has radius << L). The cable is balanced on the rod with half its length on either side. It is then given a nudge and slips off to the right side. (a) At the instant the length of the cable hanging to the right side is y, show that the force tending to accelerate the cable is given by Mg F(y) = (2y – L). (b) What is the work done on the cable from the time it starts to slip until it loses contact with the rod? (c) What is the speed of the cable as it leaves the rod? y

A flexible cable of length L and total mass M hangs over a thin slippery horizontal rod. (The rod has radius << L). The cable is balanced on the rod with half its length on either side. It is then given a nudge and slips off to the right side. (a) At the instant the length of the cable hanging to the right side is y, show that the force tending to accelerate the cable is given by Mg F(y) = (2y – L). (b) What is the work done on the cable from the time it starts to slip until it loses contact with the rod? (c) What is the speed of the cable as it leaves the rod? y