You and a friend are wondering how your weights compare. You don't have a scale, but you do have a piece of rope. To compare your weights you throw the rope over the branch of a tree and each hang from one end of the rope. To your surprise, when you both pick your feet up the rope remains motionless indicating that your weights are exactly the same (neglecting any friction between the rope and the branch). From this observation you know that the tension in the rope is
A. equal to four times your weight.
B. equal to half your weight.
C. equal to your weight plus your friend's weight (or twice your weight).
D. equal to your weight.
Answer:D
You and a friend are wondering how your weights compare. You don't have a scale, but you do have a piece of rope. To compare your weights you throw the rope over the branch of a tree and each hang from one end of the rope. To your surprise, when you both pick your feet up the rope remains motionless indicating that your weights are exactly the same (neglecting any friction between the rope and the branch). From this observation you know that the tension in the rope is
A. equal to four times your weight. B. equal to half your weight. C. equal to your weight plus your friend's weight (or twice your weight). D. equal to your weight.