Correct Option
The correct option isThe net force acting on the rope is zero.
Explanation
The scenario is governed by Newton's First Law of Motion (Law of Inertia) and the principle of equilibrium. According to this law, an object remains at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced external force. For an object to remain stationary, the vector sum of all forces acting on it must be zero.
Option Analysis
- No force is being exerted by either team. is Incorrect: Both teams are actively exerting force on the rope. The lack of motion does not imply an absence of force; rather, it implies that the opposing forces are balancing each other out.
- The net force acting on the rope is zero. is Correct: Since the rope is stationary (not accelerating), the net force acting on it must be zero ($\Sigma F = 0$). This means the force exerted by the team on the left is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force exerted by the team on the right.
- The frictional force exceeds the applied force. is Incorrect: While static friction between the players' feet and the ground enables them to pull the rope, the specific condition for the rope remaining stationary is the balance of tension forces applied to it. The statement regarding friction exceeding applied force typically applies to a block resting on a surface, not the equilibrium of the rope itself in this context.
- The rope has lost its elasticity. is Incorrect: The elasticity of the rope relates to its ability to stretch and return to its original shape. It is a material property and does not determine whether the rope remains stationary or moves.
Key Takeaway: An object is in a state of static equilibrium when the net external force acting on it is zero. In a tug-of-war, a stationary rope indicates that the opposing pulling forces are equal and opposite.