Answer
(a) less than
(b) less than
Work Step by Step
(a) The poles of the loop field line up with the magnet, causing a repulsive force, resisting the loop which is moving down towards the magnet. Thus, the tension in the string is less than the loop's weight.
(b) We know that in the given scenario, the loop's field lines up with the magnet, causing an attractive force and resisting the loop's motion down away from the magnet. Thus, the tension in the string is less than the loop's weight.
