Suppose 15 children who weigh the same are playing a game of tug-of-war. Five children pull with 5 newtons of force, while ten children pull with 10 newtons of force in the opposite direction. How can one determine the net force on the rope?
a
The forces are in opposite directions, so the newtons can be divided.
b
The newtons are in the same direction, so the newtons can be multiplied.
c
The forces are in the same direction, so the newtons can be added.
d
The forces are in opposite directions, so the newtons can be subtracted.
d. The forces are in opposite directions, so the newtons can be subtracted.
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d
The forces are in opposite directions, so the newtons can be subtracted. To determine the net force on the rope, we subtract the force exerted by the ten children (10 newtons) from the force exerted by the five children (5 newtons). This will give us the net force acting on the rope.
To determine the net force on the rope, you need to consider the direction and magnitude of the forces. In this scenario, five children are pulling with 5 newtons of force in one direction, while ten children are pulling with 10 newtons of force in the opposite direction.
Since the forces are in opposite directions, you need to subtract the forces to find the net force. Thus, the correct option is (d) The forces are in opposite directions, so the newtons can be subtracted.
Net force can be calculated by subtracting the smaller force from the larger force:
Net force = larger force - smaller force
Net force = 10 N - 5 N
Net force = 5 N
Therefore, the net force on the rope is 5 newtons in the direction of the larger force.