Third Law of Motion

The third law of motion, also known as the law of action and reaction, states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that whenever one object exerts a force on another object, the second object exerts an equal and opposite force on the first object. 

What is the Third Law of Motion?

The third law of motion, also known as the law of action and reaction, states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that whenever one object exerts a force on another object, the second object exerts an equal and opposite force on the first object.

The formula for the third law of motion can be expressed as:

F_1 = -F_2

where F_1 is the force exerted by object 1 on object 2, and F_2 is the force exerted by object 2 on object 1. The negative sign indicates that the two forces are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.

A push or a pull that an object experiences as a result of interacting with another object is known as a force. Newton postulated that whenever objects A and B interact, they exert forces on one another. You exert a downward force on the chair when you sit in it, and the chair responds by exerting an upward force on your body. This interaction creates two forces: one force on the chair and one force on your body.

The third law of motion Newton deals with these two forces, which are referred to as action and reaction forces.

Here are a few examples of the third law of motion:

1. When a person jumps off a diving board, the person exerts a force on the board, and the board exerts an equal and opposite force on the person, propelling them into the air.

2. When a person paddles a canoe, the paddle exerts a force on the water, and the water exerts an equal and opposite force on the paddle, propelling the canoe forward.

3. When a rocket blasts off, the hot gases expelled from the rocket’s engines create a force that propels the rocket upward. According to the third law of motion, the rocket exerts an equal and opposite force on the gases, propelling them downward.

4. When a person walks, the person exerts a force on the ground, and the ground exerts an equal and opposite force on the person, allowing them to move forward.

These examples illustrate how the third law of motion applies to different situations and helps us understand the relationships between forces in action and reaction pairs.

Third Law of Motion FAQS

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