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?

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

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

Answer 1

To determine the net force on the rope in a tug-of-war situation, we need to consider the directions of the forces involved. We have two groups of children pulling in opposite directions:

1. Five children pulling with 10 newtons of force.
2. Ten children pulling with 15 newtons of force.

Since the forces are in opposite directions, we will subtract the total forces.

First, calculate the total force from each group:
- The total force exerted by the five children is:
\( 5 \text{ children} \times 10 \text{ newtons/child} = 50 \text{ newtons} \)

- The total force exerted by the ten children is:
\( 10 \text{ children} \times 15 \text{ newtons/child} = 150 \text{ newtons} \)

Now, to find the net force on the rope:
- Since the two forces are in opposite directions, you will subtract the smaller force from the larger force:
\( \text{Net force} = 150 \text{ newtons} - 50 \text{ newtons} = 100 \text{ newtons} \)

The direction of the net force will be in the direction of the larger pull (the ten children).

Therefore, the correct statement is: **The forces are in opposite directions, so the newtons can be subtracted.**