Final answer:
The tension exerted in the strand of rope holding a 190 N bag of nails motionless is equal to the weight of the bag, which is 190 N. This is determined by Newton's third law of motion and the equilibrium condition where the upward tension force equals the downward gravitational force.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a 190 N bag of nails hangs motionless from a single vertical strand of rope, the tension exerted in the strand is equal to the weight of the bag. In physics, tension is the force exerted by a rope or cable when it is subjected to a pull from both ends. In this case, there is only gravity pulling down on the bag, and the tension in the rope is what balances this force to keep the bag motionless. The tension in the rope would be equal to the gravitational force on the bag, which is the weight of the bag. Therefore, the tension exerted in the strand is 190 N. This can be understood by considering Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In this scenario, the weight of the bag exerts a downward force, and the tension in the rope must provide an equal and opposite upward force to keep the bag stationary.