A game of tug-of-war is being played on the school ground
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A game of tug-of-war is being played on the school ground. At first the centre mark on the rope does not move even though both teams are pulling hard. After a short time Team A suddenly increases its pull and the centre mark starts sliding towards Team A.
(i) Explain, in terms of balanced or unbalanced forces, why the centre mark remained at the same position at the beginning of the game.
(ii) Identify the exact change that occurred in the forces when Team A increased its pull.
(iii) State how the motion of the centre mark demonstrates Newton’s first law of motion.