When considering the net force acting on a rope under the same conditions, the key points are:
- If two equal and opposite forces act on the rope (for example, two people pulling at either end with the same magnitude of force), the net force on the rope is zero. This means the rope is in static equilibrium and does not accelerate
- For an ideal, massless rope, the tension is uniform throughout the rope and equal to the magnitude of the pulling forces. The rope experiences two equal and opposite tension forces, resulting in zero net force on the rope itself
- If the forces on the rope are unequal, there will be a net force on the rope, causing it to accelerate toward the side with the greater force. In this case, the tension varies along the rope, and the net force is not zero
- In summary, under the same conditions where the forces on both ends are equal and opposite, the net force acting on the rope is zero.
Therefore, in the same condition (equal and opposite forces), the net force acting on the rope is zero, and the rope remains in equilibrium without acceleration