Two students try to break a rope. First they pull against each other and fail. Then they tie one end to a wall and pull together. Is this procedure better than the first? Explain your answer.

Dear Salman

 

Yes, this is the better procedure than the first one. There is a horizontal force which is exerted by each player as they push to the ground. When the two student pull the rope against each other, the horizontal force acting on the rope by the two students will just opposite to each other results the less net horizontal force. Therefore the tension acts on the rope will be less. But, when the one end of the rope tie with the wall and another end of the rope pull together by the two students then the two horizontal force acting by the two students will act in the same direction results more net horizontal force. Therefore the net tension on the rope will be greater in this case. That is why second one is the better procedure than the first one.