The Third Law - Reaction Forces

Question 1

What is the third law?

Answer 1

If object A exerts a force on object B them object B exerts an equal and opposite force on object A

Question 2

What does this mean if you push something?

Answer 2

It will push back against you, just as hard

Question 3

As soon as you stop pushing, what does the object do?

Answer 3

Stop pushing as well

Question 4

If the forces are always equal, how does anything ever go anywhere!

Answer 4

The two forces are acting on different objects

Question 5

Ice skaters - when skater A pushes on skater B, what does she feel?

Answer 5

An equal and opposite force from Skater B’s hand (reaction force)

Question 6

Ice skaters - what do both skaters feel? What does this result in.

Answer 6

The same sized force, in opposite directions, and so accelerate away from each other

Question 7

Ice skaters - why will skater A be accelerated more than skater B?
A mass = 55kg
B mass = 65 kg

Answer 7

She has a smaller mass - remember Force = mass x acceleration