Final answer:
Rough-and-tumble play in the context of rugby refers to the physical interactions between players, similar to children's play fighting. The force exerted by the players and their momentum are critical in determining the outcomes of confrontations in the game.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rough-and-tumble play refers to a form of play that involves physical activities with a lot of body movement, such as running, jumping, chasing, and play fighting. This term is often used in the context of child development, but in your question, it is used metaphorically to describe the actions of rugby players during a game. In rugby, physical confrontations between players are common, akin to rough-and-tumble play among children.
In the scenario described, a rugby player is being pushed backward with a force of 800 N. The interaction between the players can be understood through the principles of physics, especially Newton's laws of motion and the concept of momentum. The outcome of this collision will depend on various factors, including the players' masses, speeds, and the efficiency of the force each player is exerting.
Figure 8.1 likely illustrates the high momentum of rugby players in action, emphasizing that momentum plays a significant role in contact sports. Momentum is the product of mass and velocity, and it is conserved during collisions in a closed system. Comparing the momentum of each player before and after the collision would provide insight into the dynamics of this physical confrontation on the rugby field.