The shape of a suspended cable for a uniformly distributed load over it is

Answer: Option B

The correct answer is B: Parabolic.

Here's why:

* Uniformly Distributed Load: This means the load is spread evenly across the horizontal span of the cable (like the weight of a bridge deck hanging from the cable).

* Parabolic Shape: When a cable is subjected to a uniformly distributed load horizontally, the cable takes the shape of a parabola. This shape ensures that the tension in the cable is efficiently distributed to support the load.

* Catenary Shape (Why it's not the answer): A catenary curve is the shape a cable takes when it's only supporting its own weight (or a load distributed along the length of the cable itself, not horizontally). Think of a cable hanging freely between two points.

* Other Options: Circular and Cubic Parabola shapes are not naturally formed by suspended cables under common loading conditions like a uniform distributed load.