Question 4 — While practising for the snake - Questions at the end of the chapter - Chapter 6 - How Forces Affect Motion (Exploration)

Last updated at July 16, 2026 by

While practising for the snake boat race ( Vallum kalli in Kerala), 100 oarsmen are rowing a boat together. Out of these, 95 row backwards to propel the boat forward. But by mistake, 5 oarsmen row in the opposite direction. If each oarsman applies a horizontal force of 200 N, what is the net force on the snake boat? (Ignore drag forces, air friction, etc.)
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Forward force from 95 oarsmen = 95 × 200 = 19000 N.

Backward force from 5 oarsmen = 5 × 200 = 1000 N.

Net force = 19000 − 1000 = 18000 N , in the forward direction.

Net force on the snake boat
95 oarsmen row backwards
each pushes the water back with 200 N → boat driven forward : 95 × 200 = 19000 N
↓
5 oarsmen row the wrong way
5 × 200 = 1000 N acting backward
↓
Opposite forces subtract
19000 − 1000
↓
Net force = 18000 N , in the forward direction
← Back to: 6.2 Balanced and Unbalanced Forces
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