Describing Forces worksheet featuring a tug of war diagram to teach about push/pull, opposing forces, and resultant force calculations.

Let's solve the problem step by step using the diagram and the information provided.

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Diagram Summary:

- Team A is pulling with a force of 1,200 Newtons to the left.
- Team B is pulling with a force of 850 Newtons to the right.
- The forces are acting in opposite directions along the same rope.

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Question 1: Would you describe the forces as PUSH or PULL?

✔ Answer: PULL

Explanation: In a tug-of-war, both teams are pulling on the rope. They are not pushing it away; they are pulling it toward their side. So, the forces are pulls.

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Question 2: Would you describe the forces as working TOGETHER or OPPOSITE one another?

✔ Answer: OPPOSITE one another

Explanation: Team A pulls left, Team B pulls right — these are opposite directions. So, the forces are opposing each other.

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Question 3: Are the forces equal?

✔ Answer: No

Explanation: Team A applies 1,200 N, while Team B applies 850 N. These are not equal in magnitude.

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Question 4: Based on the forces would you expect the rope to NOT MOVE, MOVE TO THE LEFT, or MOVE TO THE RIGHT?

✔ Answer: MOVE TO THE LEFT

Explanation: Since Team A is pulling with a greater force (1,200 N) than Team B (850 N), the net force will be in the direction of Team A — to the left. Therefore, the rope will move to the left.

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Question 5: The resultant force can be described as:

Options:
a) zero
b) 1,200 Newtons
c) 350 Newtons
d) 2,050 Newtons

✔ Answer: c) 350 Newtons

Explanation:
To find the resultant force, subtract the smaller force from the larger one because they are in opposite directions:

> Resultant Force = 1,200 N (left) – 850 N (right) = 350 N to the left

So, the net force is 350 Newtons in the direction of Team A.

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Question 6: Who wins this tug-of-war?

Options:
a) No One
b) Team A
c) Team B

✔ Answer: b) Team A

Explanation: Since Team A exerts a greater force (1,200 N > 850 N), they will pull the rope toward their side, making them the winners.

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✔ Final Answers:

1. PULL
2. OPPOSITE one another
3. No
4. MOVE TO THE LEFT
5. c) 350 Newtons
6. b) Team A

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