Which statement about Synthetic Fiber Rope is true regarding tensile strength and weight?

Which statement about Synthetic Fiber Rope is true regarding tensile strength and weight?

• A. They can have tensile strength similar to steel wire rope of the same diameter, but are eight times lighter.
• B. They are heavier than steel rope of the same diameter.
• C. They cannot match steel rope strength at any diameter.
• D. They have tensile strength eight times that of steel rope of the same diameter.

Answer: (A)

Synthetic fiber rope combines a high strength-to-weight ratio with much lower density than steel. For the same rope diameter, the tensile strength can be made comparable to steel wire rope, while the rope’s weight is dramatically reduced—roughly eight times lighter—because the fibers are far less dense than steel. This is why the statement about having similar tensile strength to steel of the same diameter, but being eight times lighter, is the best description. The other options conflict with the basic fact that synthetic rope is lighter and can match steel in strength for the same diameter, not heavier or vastly stronger.

Synthetic fiber rope combines a high strength-to-weight ratio with much lower density than steel. For the same rope diameter, the tensile strength can be made comparable to steel wire rope, while the rope’s weight is dramatically reduced—roughly eight times lighter—because the fibers are far less dense than steel. This is why the statement about having similar tensile strength to steel of the same diameter, but being eight times lighter, is the best description. The other options conflict with the basic fact that synthetic rope is lighter and can match steel in strength for the same diameter, not heavier or vastly stronger.