T > W
Here, we have to compare the weight of the sparrow with the additional tension produced in the wire.
The given situation is described in the following figure.
From figure, it is clear that,
When the sparrow sits on the telegraph wire, the wire sags.
Now, let T be the tension in the wire and W be the weight of the sparrow.
Then for vertical equilibrium
2T cos θ = W
Where, θ is the angle made by the stretched wire with the vertical.
T =
That is,
If θ = 60
cos θ = ½ And
T = W.
But when a sparrow sits on a telegraph wire, θ will be much more than 60 and cos θ will be less than ½.
So, T will be larger than W.
That is,
The correct statement is T > W