Which statement is true about two-leg slings under angle θ from vertical?

• A. Tension decreases as the angle θ from vertical increases.
• B. Tension stays the same regardless of θ.
• C. Tension is independent of load weight.
• D. Tension increases as the angle θ from vertical increases.

Answer: (D)

When two-leg slings support a load, the load is shared by the vertical components of the tensions in both legs. Each leg makes an angle θ with the vertical, so the vertical component of each leg’s tension is T cos θ. Together they must equal the load W: 2 T cos θ = W, which gives T = W / (2 cos θ).

As θ increases, cos θ decreases, so the required tension T increases to keep supporting the same weight. This is why the statement is true: tension rises when the angle from vertical grows. It also helps to remember that at small angles (legs closer to vertical), each leg carries less tension, but as the legs spread wider, a lot more tension is needed to hold the same load.