Brain Teasers
Rope Pull
Science
Science brain teasers require understanding of the physical or biological world and the laws that govern it.Science
Under what conditions would a rope be mostly likely to break?
a. 20 men of equal strength with 10 pulling on each end.
b. 10 of the same men pulling on one end and the other end being fastened to a tree.
c. It makes no difference
a. 20 men of equal strength with 10 pulling on each end.
b. 10 of the same men pulling on one end and the other end being fastened to a tree.
c. It makes no difference
Answer
The answer is c. If 20 men pull on the rope (10 on each side), the stress on the rope will be no greater than if 10 pulled from one end and the other was tied to a tree. The tension on a rope is no greater than the pull at one of its ends.Hide Answer Show Answer
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Comments
Actualy the rope is more likely to break while tied to a tree.
A ropes weakest point is where it is bent as it would have to be when tied to a tree.
A ropes weakest point is where it is bent as it would have to be when tied to a tree.
That is wrong.
If 10 men create 10 newtons of force, this will be the same in both cases,
But in the first case, there is 10 newtons in an opposite direction, adding to the tension
If 10 men create 10 newtons of force, this will be the same in both cases,
But in the first case, there is 10 newtons in an opposite direction, adding to the tension
how about when the 10 men pull in one direction, and 10 men pull in the opposite direction. their "momentum", which is a product of mass and velocity in the very beginning when they jerk the rope will put more tension on the rope.
you definately have mind trap
The answer sounds right to me.
Good one.
Good one.
The answer is correct. If 10 men pull on a rope and it remains stationary then there is something pulling back with an equal force, it may be a tree or 10 other men. They may not know what's on the other end of the rope! Good puzzle!
I think this is a good one, and I believe it to be correct. Could we have a confirmation of this?
Assuming, of course, that the bark of the tree does not cause the rope to fray...
The answer is correct.
I must dissagree with the answer and many of your answers. There is no definite here. If the tree is small or not well rooted, the men could actually break the tree or uproot it, in which case the rope will not break. Also, we do not know how strong the rope is. A rope that could be broken by 20 men, 10 on each side may pull down a small tree still and not break. Must be more specific
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