Action-Reaction forces and angles

  • B
  • Thread starter Sundown444
  • Start date
  • #1
Sundown444
179
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?
 

Answers and Replies

  • #2
Ibix
Science Advisor
Insights Author
2022 Award
10,337
11,095
What do you mean by "opposite angles"? I can't see what you could mean by this that isn't covered by "opposite direction".
 
  • #3
Sundown444
179
7
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?
 
  • #4
Ibix
Science Advisor
Insights Author
2022 Award
10,337
11,095
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?
 
  • #5
Sundown444
179
7
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?
 
  • #6
33,859
11,560
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.
 
  • #7
Sundown444
179
7
So the angle does not matter in action reaction forces, you say?
 
  • #8
33,859
11,560
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
 
  • #9
Sundown444
179
7
So, are the angles of the force opposite, or same, or different to each other?
 
  • #10
A.T.
Science Advisor
11,755
3,034
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 Sundown444 and Lnewqban
  • #11
Sundown444
179
7
The angle between the 3rd law forces is 180°.

Okay, just wanted to make sure. Thanks!
 
  • #12
Lnewqban
Homework Helper
Gold Member
2,741
1,504
... 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
 

Suggested for: Action-Reaction forces and angles

  • Last Post
Replies
8
Views
944
  • Last Post
Replies
5
Views
551
Replies
20
Views
816
Replies
10
Views
534
Replies
24
Views
896
Replies
16
Views
989
Replies
9
Views
610
Replies
4
Views
697
Replies
9
Views
485
Replies
8
Views
612
Top