Conceptual Question [Newtons Laws]

In summary, when a car turns left, it is accelerating and changing direction. According to Newton's Third Law, there is a reaction force equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. In this case, the passenger experiences a force pushing them to the right due to the car's change in acceleration. This is known as the fictitious centrifugal force. Additionally, the passenger's inertia and the friction between them and the seat also contribute to the feeling of being pushed up when making a left turn.
  • #1
iRamie
19
1
When you sit in the passenger seat, why do you feel pushed up when you make a left turn? Explain using Newton's laws of motion.My Guess:
Newtons third law states there is a reaction for every action. So when you turn left the opposite reaction would be you turning right?
IDK LOL :|
 
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  • #2
Newton's Third Law is for forces, and states that, for every force (action), there is a force equal in magnitude and opposite in direction (reaction).
 
  • #3
Exactly, so isn't it considered a force when your car is moving to the left? You are accelerating (change in direction) so there has to be a net force
 
  • #4
If the car turns in a circular path, there will be a net (centripetal) force to the left. Since the car is an accelerating frame of reference, there will be a fictitious force, the centrifugal force, to the right. This, however, is not a real force but is rather a force the passenger feels due to the changing acceleration of the car.

However, based on the problem statement I think an explanation using inertia and the friction between the passenger and seat is better...
 
  • #5


Actually, the feeling of being pushed up when making a left turn is due to Newton's first law of motion, also known as the law of inertia. This law states that an object at rest will remain at rest and an object in motion will continue moving in a straight line at a constant speed unless acted upon by an external force.

In this situation, the external force is the car making a left turn. As the car turns, your body wants to continue moving in a straight line due to its inertia. However, the car's seatbelt and the friction between your body and the seat act as external forces, pushing you towards the right side of the car. This results in the feeling of being pushed up against the car door.

Additionally, Newton's second law of motion, also known as the law of acceleration, can also be applied in this scenario. This law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. When the car turns left, there is a net force acting on your body, causing it to accelerate towards the right side of the car. This acceleration is perceived as a push or force against your body.

Overall, the combination of these two laws explains why you feel pushed up when making a left turn as a passenger. Your body's inertia and the external forces acting on it result in the sensation of being pushed towards the right side of the car.
 

1. What are Newton's three laws of motion?

Newton's first law states that an object at rest will remain at rest and an object in motion will remain in motion at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force. Newton's second law relates the force applied to an object to its mass and acceleration. Newton's third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

2. How do Newton's laws apply to everyday life?

Newton's laws are used every day in a variety of ways. For example, when driving a car, the first law is demonstrated when the car stays in motion unless the brakes are applied. The second law can be seen when accelerating or decelerating the car. And the third law is evident when the car exerts a force on the ground, causing it to move forward.

3. What is the difference between inertia and momentum?

Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its motion and is related to Newton's first law. Momentum, on the other hand, is a measurement of an object's motion and is related to both its mass and velocity. Inertia is a property of an object, while momentum is a measurement of its motion.

4. How does Newton's second law relate to force, mass, and acceleration?

Newton's second law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force applied to it and inversely proportional to its mass. In other words, the greater the force applied to an object, the greater its acceleration will be. And the larger the mass of an object, the smaller its acceleration will be for a given force.

5. Can Newton's laws be broken or violated?

No, Newton's laws are fundamental principles of physics and have been proven to be true through countless experiments and observations. These laws hold true for all objects and situations, unless in extreme conditions such as near the speed of light or at the atomic level where other laws of physics come into play.

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