EasyPhysicsHigh School (9–10)GeneralMechanics › Newton's Laws of MotionNumerical

In a tug of war, Team A pulls left with 450 N and Team B pulls right with 410 N.

Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.

In a tug of war, Team A pulls left with $450\ \text{N}$ and Team B pulls right with $410\ \text{N}$ .

What is the net force on the rope?
Which team is winning?
A new player joins Team B and adds $55\ \text{N}$ . What is the net force now?

Need a reminder? The key ideaShow

The net force adds all the forces with their directions. If it is zero the forces are balanced and the motion does not change; if not, they are unbalanced and the object speeds up, slows down or turns. Forces at right angles are added separately.

The worked solution

Have you tried it?

Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.

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← A car goes round a bend at a steady 50 km/h; the speedometer needle does not move.Say whether the forces on each object are balanced or unbalanced, and give a reason. →

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