If Josh pulls on a rope with a force of 45 N in the negative direction and Marissa pulls on the other end of the rope in the position direction with 56 N, what is the overall tension in the rope?

1 Answer
Ed Hitchcock
Jan 29, 2016

This is actually an impossible scenario.

Explanation:

By Newton's #3^(rd)# Law, for every force you apply to an object, there is an equal and opposite reaction force from the object back to you.

A rope is an excellent example of Newton's #3^(rd)# Law. If Josh is on one end pulling the rope with 45 N, it doesn't matter who or what is on the other end, they will feel 45N of force. So, action force is Josh pulling the rope with 45N, reaction force is the rope puling Josh with 45N.

Now put Marissa on the other end. If Marissa pulls with 56 N, then 56N will be felt at both ends of the rope.

To say "Josh pulls on a rope with a force of 45 N" and "Marissa pulls on the other end of the rope with 56 N" is impossible. Both ends of the rope must feel the same force. So if Marissa is pulling with 56N, Josh must also be pulling with 56N.

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