newton 3rd law of motion: help please

[sanscie]

my question is as follows.


when an object x exerts a force on object y, then object y exert a force of the SAME TYPE that is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction on object x

Explain what is meant by of the same type in this statement?

[kuruman]

Hi sanscie and welcome to PF. It means that if x exerts, say, an electric force on y then y exerts also an electric force on x. Furthermore, the mathematical expressions that give the magnitudes of the two forces are identical, only the directions are opposite.