Confusing Conceptual Question on Newton's Laws of Motion

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the implications of Newton's Third Law of Motion, specifically regarding the forces exerted by humans on Earth. Participants clarify that while individuals exert an equal and opposite force on the Earth, the total force from all humans does not significantly affect Earth's orbit due to the immense mass of the planet. The gravitational attraction between Earth and individuals is balanced, ensuring stability in Earth's position. Therefore, the concern that human forces could push Earth out of orbit is unfounded.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's Laws of Motion
  • Basic principles of gravitational force
  • Concept of force balance in physics
  • Knowledge of Earth's mass and its implications in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Newton's Third Law of Motion in detail
  • Explore gravitational force calculations and their applications
  • Research the mass of Earth and its effect on gravitational interactions
  • Learn about force balance and equilibrium in physical systems
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators explaining Newton's Laws, and anyone interested in understanding the fundamental principles of motion and gravity.

jayadds
Messages
42
Reaction score
0
This conceptual question really got me thinking but I'm not sure how I would explain it:

Your friend has been studying physics. She tells you that because of Newton's Third Law, she exerts a force on the Earth opposite to the force that it exerts on her. this worries her a lot because she thinks that total force from all of the six billion people on the Earth will eventually push it out of orbit. Is she right - could this happen? Explain your answer using physics principle.

Many thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What do you think?
 
Gravity is symmetric in that the attraction the Earth exerts on you equals the attraction you exert on the Earth. And just as the pushback you get from the ground balances the gravitational attraction on you, the pushback your feet give to the ground balances your gravitational attraction on it.
 

Similar threads

High School The application of Newton's laws to fluid equilibrium
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
Undergrad Newton's Third Law: Action & Reaction Along the Line Connecting Two Objects
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Newton's 2nd Law confusion: mass times acceleration is not a force?
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
4K
High School Newton's third law (equal and opposite force)
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
4K
High School Newton's Third Law in space
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
Undergrad Why momentum is conserved when a gun fires? (conceptual question)
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
High School Are frictional forces action forces or reaction forces?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
High School Action-reaction of a sailing boat and wind
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
High School Newton's Third Law Question -- Does the Earth Do Work on Me?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
High School Understanding Newton's Third Law and the Net Force on Objects
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K