Newton's Third Law: Equal & Opposite Forces?

In summary, Newton's third law states that for every force there is an equal and opposite force. However, this does not mean that the forces are balanced since they act on different bodies and can still result in acceleration. The proper statement of the law involves equal and opposite forces acting on different bodies.
  • #1
Faded Maximus
9
0
Newtons third law states that for every force there is an equal an opposite force. This doesn't mean that these forces are balanced though? Things like cars or people walking can still accelerate so these forces can't be balanced?
 
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  • #2
When you walk you push down on the ground and it moves you forwards.

At the same time, the Earth pushes back on you and moves backwards.

Equal and opposite.
 
  • #3
Since they are equal and opposite though, would that imply that they are balanced forces?
 
  • #4
The proper statement of Newton's third law is:

If body A exerts a force on body B, then body B exerts a force on body A that is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force exerted by body A.

By definition, they are equivalent. Newton's 2nd law deals with accelerations due to a net force.
 
  • #5
Faded Maximus said:
Since they are equal and opposite though, would that imply that they are balanced forces?

The answer is no because the two forces act on different bodies.
 

FAQ: Newton's Third Law: Equal & Opposite Forces?

What is Newton's Third Law?

Newton's Third Law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that when one object exerts a force on a second object, the second object will exert an equal and opposite force back on the first object.

Can you give an example of Newton's Third Law in action?

One example of Newton's Third Law is a person pushing against a wall. The person exerts a force on the wall, and in turn, the wall exerts an equal and opposite force back on the person. Both forces are equal in magnitude but act in opposite directions.

Is Newton's Third Law applicable to all types of forces?

Yes, Newton's Third Law applies to all types of forces, including contact forces (like pushing or pulling) and non-contact forces (like gravity or magnetism). It is a fundamental principle of physics and applies to all interactions between objects.

How does Newton's Third Law relate to motion?

Newton's Third Law explains why objects move in response to forces. When two objects interact, the forces they exert on each other are equal and opposite. This means that if one object experiences a force, the other object will experience a force in the opposite direction, causing both objects to move.

Are there any exceptions to Newton's Third Law?

No, there are no exceptions to Newton's Third Law. It is a fundamental law of physics that has been observed and tested in countless experiments. However, it is important to note that the forces must be acting on different objects for the law to apply. If the forces are acting on the same object, they will cancel each other out and not result in motion.

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