Question

The image below shows two opposite forces acting on a rope, what can we say is true about the affect of the forces on the rope?

A) It cannot be determined without knowing which man is stronger.

B) It cannot be determined because one man is standing taller than the other.

C) The forces are unbalanced, and net force on the rope moves it to the left.

D) The forces are unbalanced, and net force on the rope moves it to the right.

Answer 1

It would be D) the rope is pulled to the right. This is because their is a greater force in that direction.

Answer 2

Answer: Option D.

Explanation: Here are two forces applied in opposite ends of the rope, both forces pulling the rope in one direction (opposite directions).

this means that the total force is the addition of the two forces (not exactly, because they are at different heights, but is a good approximation), the resultant force will be 175N - 75N = 100N

Here you can see that the force pulling right is almost 100N bigger than the other force, this means that factors like the difference in height actually don't matter, the difference in force is large enough to predict that the net force on the rope moves it to the right.