Final answer:
The net force in the tug of war when one team pulls with 50 N and the other with 10 N is 40 N, in the direction of the stronger force.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the scenario of a tug of war, when one team is pulling with a force of 50 N and the other team is pulling with a force of 10 N, we calculate the net force by subtracting the smaller force from the larger force. The team pulling with 50 N is exerting more force than the team pulling with 10 N. Thus, the net force would be 50 N - 10 N, which equals 40 N. Therefore, the correct answer is (a) 40 N, meaning the net force acting on the rope is 40 N in the direction of the team pulling with the greater force.