Question

Consider a tug of war between two people who pull in opposite directions on the ends of a rope. By Newton's third law of motion the force that A exerts on B is just as great as the force that B exerts on A. So what determines who wins?





​

Answer 1

First of all, Newton's third law of motion is;

• When a body exerts some force on another body, then the second body will also exert a equal and opposite force on the person.
• OR
• Every action has an equal & opposite reaction

Now, what opposite is? this means that the force exerted by the second object will be equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.

Let's suppose force exerted by A be Fa and that by B be Fb and if A exert a force on B then Fa = -Fb and as long as both of then exert equal force on each other their will be equilibrium.

Now, only possible way that will determine who will win is, Let's say A continues to full with the same intensity but B loses its grip and A exert a greater force on ground as well, and remains at its position but B's force on ground is also less and thus now friction will act & because of inertia B will find itself pulled in A's direction.

Thus, the whole game is of applying greater force on the opponent.

______________________ $\:$