Question

If the two ends of a rope in equilibrium are pulled with forces of equal magnitude and opposite directions, why isn’t the total tension in the rope zero?

Can someone explain why the TOTAL tension is zero? Because I do get that the tension force is present and is therefore not zero, but I don't get why the TOTAL tension is zero.
Options:

A) Because tension is always present in a rope regardless of the forces applied to it.
B) Due to the law of conservation of energy.
C) Because the forces are equal and opposite, canceling each other out, resulting in zero net force but not zero tension.
D) It depends on the length and material of the rope.

Answer 1

The total tension in the rope is not zero because tension is always present in a rope regardless of the forces applied to it, even though the forces cancel each other out and result in a net force of zero.

Step-by-step explanation:

The total tension in the rope is not zero because the forces pulling on the ends of the rope are equal and opposite, but they are still present. Tension is a force that exists in a rope regardless of the forces applied to it. So even though the forces cancel each other out and result in a net force of zero, the tension in the rope is not zero.

The total tension in the rope is not zero because tension is always present in a rope regardless of the forces applied to it, even though the forces cancel each other out and result in a net force of zero.

The total tension in the rope is not zero because the forces pulling on the ends of the rope are equal and opposite, but they are still present.

Tension is a force that exists in a rope regardless of the forces applied to it. So even though the forces cancel each other out and result in a net force of zero, the tension in the rope is not zero.