Can gravitational force be reactive?

In summary: Therefore, action and reaction are forces of the same nature, according to Newton.In summary, according to Newton's third law, for every action force, there is an equal and opposite reaction force. This applies to all types of forces, including gravity and electromagnetic forces. Some may argue that the Moon's gravitational force on the Earth is not a reaction force, but rather its own force of gravitation. However, this does not change the fact that the Earth's gravitational force on the Moon is a reaction force. Ultimately, it is a matter of exploration and understanding, rather than labeling forces as "reaction" or "action." Both explanations of Newton's third law are valid, but the second one may provide a deeper understanding of the nature of
  • #1
xAxis
223
4
If Earth attracts the Moon with gravitational force, then according to 3,rd Newton's law the Moon attracts the Earth with the same but opposite force. But what if someone argues that the Moon attracts the Earth anyway due to its own gravitation, can we really say that it's the reaction force?
Another example: You push the car. Here the action force is electromagnetic. The car pushes you back and it's the reaction force, electromagnetic. So it seems that action and reaction must be the forces of the same nature. But what if someone uses the same argument here, and explains the third Newton law like this:
When you push the car, the action force is electromagnetic. Because of the inertia of the car, it oposes the push and you feel the reaction force. Thus, here the reaction force is the force of inertia and is therefore of different nature than the action force.
So two questions:
1 Is this explanation of the 3.rd Newtons law better than the first one?
2 Can gravitational force really be force of reaction?
 
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  • #2
Lookup some numbers (google calculator). Calculate the force of the moon's gravity attracting the earth. Then calculate the force of the Earth's gravity attracting the moon. Learn by exploration. It's not a matter of whether it is the reaction force. The reaction law just asserts that there will be such a force.
 
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  • #3
xAxis said:
If Earth attracts the Moon with gravitational force, then according to 3,rd Newton's law the Moon attracts the Earth with the same but opposite force. But what if someone argues that the Moon attracts the Earth anyway due to its own gravitation, can we really say that it's the reaction force?
Another example: You push the car. Here the action force is electromagnetic. The car pushes you back and it's the reaction force, electromagnetic. So it seems that action and reaction must be the forces of the same nature. But what if someone uses the same argument here, and explains the third Newton law like this:
When you push the car, the action force is electromagnetic. Because of the inertia of the car, it oposes the push and you feel the reaction force. Thus, here the reaction force is the force of inertia and is therefore of different nature than the action force.
So two questions:
1 Is this explanation of the 3.rd Newtons law better than the first one?
2 Can gravitational force really be force of reaction?

In what sense electromangetic are u talkin in refrence to friction which is produced due to electromagtic intraion b/w two surface.
Now Newtons 3rd law is not a general term it always exists in pairs as you know. Gravitaion is again not a general term it also exsists in pair consider this in clasical physics a planet is there in an insolated space and think that there is no other planet or star think it is completely isolated. what could you think what will be its stabiltiy and gravitation
 
  • #4
xAxis said:
When you push the car, the action force is electromagnetic. Because of the inertia of the car, it oposes the push and you feel the reaction force. Thus, here the reaction force is the force of inertia and is therefore of different nature than the action force.
I have not heard of a 'force of inertia' as such. In the example you have given, both force pairs are electromagnetic in nature.
 
  • #5
I'd like to know if action and reaction must be forces of the same nature according to Newton.
When the object falls to Earth, we say it falls (accelerates) due to gravitational force. If you push an object it accelerates due to which force?
 
  • #6
xAxis said:
I'd like to know if action and reaction must be forces of the same nature according to Newton.
Yes.
When the object falls to Earth, we say it falls (accelerates) due to gravitational force.
OK. And the 3rd law pair to the force of the Earth's gravitational force on the object is the object's gravitational force on the Earth.
If you push an object it accelerates due to which force?
You exert a contact force on the object, which is fundamentally electromagnetic; the object, per Newton, exerts an equal but opposite contact force on you, also electromagnetic.
 

1. Can gravitational force be reactive?

Yes, gravitational force can be reactive. This means that an object's motion can cause a reaction in the gravitational force acting upon it.

2. What does it mean for a force to be reactive?

A reactive force is one that is caused by the motion or interaction of an object. In the case of gravitational force, it is reactive because it is caused by the mass and motion of objects in space.

3. Is gravitational force always reactive?

Yes, gravitational force is always reactive. This is because it is a force that is caused by the mass and motion of objects, and therefore always has a reactive component.

4. Can reactive gravitational force be stronger than the initial force?

Yes, reactive gravitational force can be stronger than the initial force. This is because as an object's motion changes, the strength and direction of the gravitational force acting upon it can also change.

5. How does the reactivity of gravitational force affect the motion of objects?

The reactivity of gravitational force plays a significant role in determining the motion of objects. It can cause objects to accelerate, change direction, or even collide with other objects in space.

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