Action-Reaction forces and angles

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Sundown444
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Angles Forces
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Action-reaction forces, as defined by Newton's Third Law, exert equal and opposite forces in terms of direction, specifically at an angle of 180°. The discussion clarifies that while the direction of the forces is crucial, the angles at which the objects are positioned do not affect the action-reaction relationship. For instance, when a ping pong paddle hits a ball at 45 degrees, the force exerted by the paddle and the ball remains opposite in direction, maintaining the principle of equal and opposite forces. Therefore, the angle of the objects does not alter the fundamental nature of action-reaction forces.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's Third Law of Motion
  • Basic knowledge of force vectors
  • Familiarity with angles in physics
  • Concept of resultant forces
NEXT STEPS
  • Study vector addition and subtraction in physics
  • Explore examples of action-reaction forces in real-world scenarios
  • Learn about resultant forces and their implications in mechanics
  • Investigate the role of angles in force applications
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators explaining Newton's laws, and anyone interested in the mechanics of forces and motion.

Sundown444
Messages
179
Reaction score
7
Now, I am sure we all know that objects and their action-reaction forces happen in terms of exerting forces at opposite directions but with the same magnitude. That said, I wish to ask: Do objects with action-reaction forces have their forces exerted in opposite angles as well as opposite directions?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What do you mean by "opposite angles"? I can't see what you could mean by this that isn't covered by "opposite direction".
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Dale
Or I guess I am asking, more precisely, do objects with action-reaction forces have act be exerted at different angles from each other, or the same?
 
I still don't understand. Can you give an example of two things that are in opposite directions but not opposite angles, however you are defining this?
 
Say a ball is hit by a ping pong paddle. The paddle hits the ball at 45 degrees. But the top of the ball is hit, say at 90 degrees. Would the angles between these two objects not be opposite in angles, even though the parts pushing each other are the same direction?
 
Sundown444 said:
Say a ball is hit by a ping pong paddle. The paddle hits the ball at 45 degrees. But the top of the ball is hit, say at 90 degrees. Would the angles between these two objects not be opposite in angles, even though the parts pushing each other are the same direction?
The direction that the ball hits the paddle or the paddle hits the ball is not relevant. What is relevant is the direction of the force. It is the direction of the two forces that are equal and opposite. The angle of the ball doesn't enter into it at all.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Ibix
So the angle does not matter in action reaction forces, you say?
 
Sundown444 said:
So the angle does not matter in action reaction forces, you say?
The angle of the force matters. The angle of the ball or the paddle or whatever doesn't matter except insofar as it affects the angle of the forces
 
So, are the angles of the force opposite, or same, or different to each other?
 
  • #10
Sundown444 said:
So, are the angles of the force opposite, or same, or different to each other?
The angle between the 3rd law forces is 180°.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Sundown444 and Lnewqban
  • #11
A.T. said:
The angle between the 3rd law forces is 180°.

Okay, just wanted to make sure. Thanks!
 
  • #12
Sundown444 said:
... Do objects with action-reaction forces have their forces exerted in opposite angles as well as opposite directions?
The angle formed between both force vectors must be always π, otherwise we will have a third resulting vector force.

gear_animation1.gif
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Sundown444

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
4K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K