Question

In a game of tug of war, team one pulls to the right with a force of 500 newtons and team two pulls to the left with a force of 600 newtons. What is the net force?

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

There is no set way to do this. All you have to do is define left and right. Left will be minus and right will be the opposite --- plus.

That is completely arbitrary. It could be the other way around. It does not matter.

Left is minus so: - 600 N   is the force going left.

Right plus so: + 500 N

Now just add.

Net Force = +500 - 600

Net Force = - 100 N

So the Net Force is - 100 N going to the left.