Actionreactionworksheet | PDF - Free Printable

Let's solve this physics problem step by step based on the image you described.

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Problem Description:

Two people are pulling on a rope that is attached to a tree. A spring scale (or force meter) is placed in the middle of the rope and reads 60 N. The task is to:

1. Draw the situation.
2. At each contact point, draw action and reaction forces.
3. Label the amount of force at each point.
4. Provide descriptions for the action and reaction forces.

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Step 1: Understanding the Setup

- There is a rope connected between:
- A person on the left,
- A spring scale in the middle,
- A person in the center (pulling),
- A tree on the right.
- The scale reads 60 N, meaning the tension in the rope is 60 Newtons.
- The rope is taut — both people are pulling, and the tree is fixed.

> Important: In a massless rope under tension, the tension is the same throughout if no acceleration occurs. So, every part of the rope experiences 60 N of tension.

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Step 2: Forces Involved

We will consider Newton’s Third Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

We’ll analyze three contact points:

1. Person on the left pulling the rope
2. Person in the center pulling the rope
3. Rope tied to the tree

But note: The spring scale shows 60 N, which means the tension in the rope is 60 N.

So, the force applied by each person must be 60 N, assuming equilibrium (no acceleration).

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Step 3: Drawing the Diagram (Description)

Since I can't draw here, I'll describe how to draw it clearly.

#### Sketch Layout:

```
[Person Left] ←───(60 N)────→ [Scale] ←───(60 N)────→ [Person Center] ←───(60 N)────→ [Tree]
```

But more accurately:

- Draw a horizontal line representing the rope.
- On the left end, a person pulling to the left.
- In the middle, a spring scale showing 60 N.
- Between the scale and the tree, another person pulling to the right.
- On the right end, the rope is tied to a tree.

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Step 4: Action and Reaction Forces at Each Contact Point

We’ll go through each interaction and apply Newton’s Third Law.

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#### 1. Person on the Left Pulling the Rope

- Action Force: Person pulls the rope to the left with 60 N.
- Arrow: From person → rope, labeled "60 N (left)"
- Reaction Force: Rope pulls back on the person to the right with 60 N.
- Arrow: From rope → person, labeled "60 N (right)"
- Description:
- Action: Person exerts 60 N left on rope.
- Reaction: Rope exerts 60 N right on person.

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#### 2. Spring Scale (in the Middle)

- The scale measures 60 N — this is the tension in the rope.
- The rope pulls on the scale:
- Left side: Rope pulls scale to the left with 60 N.
- Right side: Rope pulls scale to the right with 60 N.
- Since the scale is not accelerating, these forces balance.
- Action/Reaction Pairs:
- Rope pulls scale left (60 N) → Scale pulls rope right (60 N)
- Rope pulls scale right (60 N) → Scale pulls rope left (60 N)

> But since the scale is in the middle, the net force on the scale is zero.

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#### 3. Person in the Center Pulling the Rope

- This person is pulling to the right on the rope.
- Action Force: Person pulls rope to the right with 60 N.
- Arrow: Person → rope, labeled "60 N (right)"
- Reaction Force: Rope pulls person to the left with 60 N.
- Arrow: Rope → person, labeled "60 N (left)"
- Description:
- Action: Person exerts 60 N right on rope.
- Reaction: Rope exerts 60 N left on person.

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#### 4. Rope Attached to the Tree

- The rope is tied to the tree.
- Action Force: Rope pulls the tree to the right with 60 N.
- Arrow: Rope → tree, labeled "60 N (right)"
- Reaction Force: Tree pulls the rope to the left with 60 N.
- Arrow: Tree → rope, labeled "60 N (left)"
- Description:
- Action: Rope pulls tree right (60 N).
- Reaction: Tree pulls rope left (60 N).

> The tree resists motion and provides an equal and opposite force.

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Summary of Forces (All Arrows):

| Location | Action Force | Reaction Force |
|--------|--------------|----------------|
| Left person → rope | 60 N left | Rope → person: 60 N right |
| Rope → left person | 60 N right | Person → rope: 60 N left |
| Center person → rope | 60 N right | Rope → person: 60 N left |
| Rope → center person | 60 N left | Person → rope: 60 N right |
| Rope → tree | 60 N right | Tree → rope: 60 N left |
| Tree → rope | 60 N left | Rope → tree: 60 N right |

> Note: The tension is 60 N everywhere in the rope.

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Final Answer:

✔ Tension in the rope = 60 N
✔ Each person pulls with 60 N
✔ The tree exerts 60 N to the left
✔ All action-reaction pairs are equal and opposite

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✔ Key Concept:

Even though two people are pulling, the scale reads 60 N because it measures the tension — which is the force transmitted through the rope. If both sides pull with 60 N, the net force is zero (equilibrium), but the tension is 60 N.

This is similar to pulling on a rope tied to a wall: if you pull with 60 N, the wall pulls back with 60 N, so the tension is 60 N.

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🔁 Summary of Force Magnitudes:

- All forces at contact points are 60 N.
- All action-reaction pairs are equal and opposite.

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If you're drawing this, make sure:

- Arrows show direction.
- Labels include magnitude and description.
- Each pair has one arrow from object A to B, and one from B to A.

Let me know if you'd like a textual diagram or help formatting this into a report!