Question

In a ‘tug of war’ game, two persons pull each other through a massless rope. The person who wins is

• A. One whose weight is less
• B. One who exerts more friction force (shearing force) on the ground
• C. One who exerts more normal force (compressing force) on the ground
• D. One who pulls the rope with a greater force
• E. One whose weight is more

Hint:

In a tug-of-war, the role of friction is crucial. The winner is not necessarily the heavier person but the one who can maximize friction against the ground.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: In a tug-of-war, the force exerted on the rope does not directly determine the winner. Instead, it depends on the force that a person can apply against the ground. 
Step 2: The force that allows a person to pull effectively comes from the friction between their feet and the ground. Higher friction provides better resistance, allowing one to pull with greater force. 
Step 3: The friction force is given by: \[ F_{{friction}} = \mu N \] where $\mu$ is the coefficient of friction and $N$ is the normal force. 
Step 4: The person who can exert a larger frictional force will be able to resist the pull of the opponent and apply a stronger opposing force, ultimately winning the game. 
Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is (B). \bigskip