Question

Two perfectly matched athletes on level ground are pulling opposite ends of a rope in a tug of war. The rope is not moving or accelerating. Each athlete can pull with a force of 200 pounds. The system of interest is defined as the athlete holding the east end of the rope, (but not the rope itself or the ground, etc). The net force on the system is_____.A)200 pounds.B)0 pounds.C)400 pounds.

Answer 1

B. 0

Step-by-step explanation:

We have two opposite forces in x, direction. Both with equal magnitude.

If we made summatory in X, we have,

`\sum F_x = 0`

`F_(Athlete1)-F_(Athlete2)=0`

`200-200=0`

`0=0`

Therefore the net force on the system is 0 ponds.