Newton's 3rd Law

Question 1

How do we state the law in words?

Answer 1

Forces ALWAYS come in pairs and every action needs to have an EQUAL and OPPOSITE reaction.

Question 2

All forces come as pairs that act on ____ ; even if ____ is involved

Answer 2

All forces come as pairs that act on 2 distinct objects; even if gravity is involved

Question 3

Action: The girl pushes on the wall with 30N to the right.

Reaction?

Answer 3

Reaction: Wall pushes on the girl with 30N.

Question 4

What is the reaction force to a skydiver’s weight? [Hint: identify the 2 objects]

Answer 4

gravity and air resistance

Question 5

How does the 3rd Law allow you to swim?

Answer 5

Because when the swimmer pushes on water, water pushes BACK on the swimmer with EQUAL force in the OPPOSITE direction.

Question 6

How does the 3rd Law allow a rocket to function even in space where there is no air?

Answer 6

When the rocket fuel pushes the rocket forward, the rocket pushes on the fuel backward.

Question 7

If a bug and a car collide…How does the force each one feels compare?

Answer 7

The forces are equal.