Question

In a game of tug-of-war, two teams P and Q pull the rope in opposite directions. Forces applied by the members of team P are 125 N, 137 N and 209 N whereas that by the members of team Q are 129 N, 186 N and 146 N then:

• A. The rope will move towards team Q.
• B. The rope will not move at all.
• C. Movement of the rope cannot be predicted.
• D. The rope will move towards team P.

Answer 1

The correct option is D The rope will move towards team P.

Force applied by team P:
All members of team P are pulling the rope towards themselves, i.e applying the force in the same direction and towards the left of us. Therefore, all forces will add up.
Therefore, total force applied by team P = 125 N + 137 N + 209 N = 471 N (towards left of us)

Similarly, the forces applied by all members of team Q is in the same direction and towards the right direction of us .
Therefore the total force applied by team Q = 129 N + 186 N + 146 N = 461 N (towards right of us)

Since the force applied by team P is in opposite direction of team Q, therefore, they will get subtract.
Therefore,
Net force on the rope = 471 N (towards left) - 461 N (towards right)
= 10 N (towards left)

As, the net force is acting towards left direction, i.e. towards team P, therefore the rope will move towards team P.