Question

Suppose 25 children who weigh the same are playing a game of tug-of-war. Five children pull with 10 newtons of force, while ten children pull with 15 newtons of force in the opposite direction. How can one determine the net force on the rope?(1 point)
Responses

The forces are in opposite directions, so the newtons can be divided.
The forces are in opposite directions, so the newtons can be divided.

The forces are in opposite directions, so the newtons can be subtracted.
The forces are in opposite directions, so the newtons can be subtracted.

The forces are in the same direction, so the newtons can be added.
The forces are in the same direction, so the newtons can be added.

The newtons are in the same direction, so the newtons can be multiplied.

Answer 1

The correct approach to determining the net force on the rope is:

**The forces are in opposite directions, so the newtons can be subtracted.**

To calculate the net force, you would subtract the total force applied in one direction from the total force applied in the opposite direction.

1. Calculate the total force exerted by the five children pulling with 10 newtons:
\[
5 \times 10 = 50 \text{ newtons (in one direction)}
\]

2. Calculate the total force exerted by the ten children pulling with 15 newtons:
\[
10 \times 15 = 150 \text{ newtons (in the opposite direction)}
\]

3. To find the net force, subtract the smaller total force from the larger total force:
\[
150 \text{ newtons} - 50 \text{ newtons} = 100 \text{ newtons (in the direction of the 15 newtons)}
\]

Thus, the net force is 100 newtons in the direction of the ten children pulling with 15 newtons.