95 row backwards to propel the boat forward – Discussion Forum

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Sonal Chauhan

Asked: September 16, 2026In: Class 9 Science

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.)

Forward force by ninety-five oarsmen is 19000 N and backward force by five oarsmen is 1000 N. Subtracting opposing forces gives an unbalanced forward net force of 18000 N acting on the boat.