Question

In a game of tug of war, three girls of team $A$ pull the rope with forces of $100N$, $120N$ and $170N$. In team $B$, the three members pull the rope with forces of $130N$, $150N$ and $155N$. Who will win the tug of war? What is the resultant force?

• A. Team $A$, $55N$
• B. Team $B$, $55N$
• C. Team $A$, $45N$
• D. Team $B$, $45N$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Team $B$, $45N$

Resultant force is nothing but the total force acting on a body including their directions. If the object is at rest or it moves with a same velocity, the resultant force should be zero. All forces are acting on same direction, resultant force should be the sum of all the forces.
In this case, the forces applied by team A are 100 N, 120 N and 170 N. The total force is 100 N+120 N+170 N = 390 N. The forces applied by tema B are 130 N, 150 N and 155 N. The total force is 130 N+150 N+155 N=435 N.
Now, both the total forces are in the opposite direction as the team are in the opposite direction. So, the resultant force is 435 - 390 = 45 N.
Therefore, Team B will win in the game as they apply more force of 45 N.