Why Do Objects Move Despite Equal and Opposite Reactions?

In summary: For example, when you swim, you push against the water and the water pushes back on you, causing you to move forward while the water moves backwards. Newton's third law does not mean that the forces cancel each other out and prevent movement, rather they act on different objects. So, in summary, Newton's third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, but this does not mean that objects will not move. The forces act on different bodies, resulting in movement.
  • #1
Dirtyhand
1
0
It says that every reaction there is a opposite and equal reaction. Why do things still move if everything is opposite and equal?
 
Science news on Phys.org
  • #2
Basically, objects are independent of each other, i think you are thinking of them as a system
Example: I push on a BOX. The box pushes back on ME. Something else does not push from the opposite side of the box to balance my push. The box experiences an unbalanced force and possibly accelerates.
 
  • #3
to put it a different way, the forces act on different objects.
think of you swimming... you kick back your legs against the water, applying force on it by pushing it backwards, but by Newtons third law, the water will push back on you. The end result being that you get pushed forward by the water, and hence, move forward, and the water gets pushed back by your feet...
 
  • #4
Dirtyhand said:
It says that every reaction there is a opposite and equal reaction. Why do things still move if everything is opposite and equal?

Don't confuse Newton's third law with the second.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton's_laws_of_motion
 
  • #5
Dirtyhand said:
It says that every reaction there is a opposite and equal reaction. Why do things still move if everything is opposite and equal?

The forces are applied to different bodies.
 
Last edited:

FAQ: Why Do Objects Move Despite Equal and Opposite Reactions?

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 another object, the second object will exert an equal force in the opposite direction.

How does Newton's third law apply to everyday life?

Newton's third law can be observed in everyday life, such as when you push against a wall, the wall pushes back with an equal force. It also explains how rockets are able to launch into space by pushing against the ground with a force that is equal and opposite to the force of the rocket pushing down on the ground.

Can Newton's third law be violated?

No, Newton's third law is a fundamental principle in physics and has been extensively tested and proven to be accurate. It applies to all objects and interactions, and cannot be violated.

How does Newton's third law relate to motion?

Newton's third law explains how forces cause objects to accelerate and move. When an object exerts a force on another object, the second object will experience an equal force in the opposite direction, causing it to accelerate in the direction of the force.

Are there any exceptions to Newton's third law?

There are no exceptions to Newton's third law, but there are cases where it may seem like there is no equal and opposite reaction. For example, when a person jumps off a boat, the boat may move in the opposite direction, but this is because the person's weight is being transferred to the water, causing the boat to sink slightly and move in the opposite direction.

Similar threads

Replies
28
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
8K
Replies
127
Views
7K
Replies
9
Views
3K
Back
Top