Question

Suppose you own a rowboat and sometimes go rowing in the summer. In June, you are planning to go rowing with two of your friends (three people total in the boat), and in July, you are planning to go rowing with just one friend (two people total in the boat). Will you put in more effort (row harder) on the three-person trip or on the two-person trip?

Answer 1

The three-person trip require more effort (row harder) than the two person-trip

Explanation:

The number of persons in the boat determines the mass of the boat

The mass of the boat with three people in total is more than the mass of the boat with only two person's

Mass is a measure of inertia, which is the resistance of a body to accelerate, and therefore, to the application of a force

Therefore, on the three-person trip were three people are in the boat, the boat has more mass, and therefore more inertia and will require more effort (force) than on the two-person trip that has a lesser mass