Difference between Newton's 2nd Law/3rd Law of motion?

In summary, the conversation discusses the difference between Newton's 2nd and 3rd law of motion and their relation to each other. The 2nd law states that force is equal to mass times acceleration, while the 3rd law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. It is mentioned that both laws are needed for a rocket to fly and the correct answer will depend on the specific question being asked.
  • #1
jakeginobi
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known dat
What is the difference between Newton's 2nd and 3rd law of motion? Are they related as in if I applied force so that an object accelerates, would it exert the same amount of force towards me?

Homework Equations


F=ma
 
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  • #3
I can't differentiate which law (best choice) to put on a test, cause I'm confused about the 2nd law and 3rd.
For instance, a rocket up in the air - would the best choice be law 2 or 3?
 
  • #4
Both are needed for a rocket to fly. Which is the correct answer will depend on what the question is.
 

1. What is Newton's 2nd Law of Motion?

Newton's 2nd Law of Motion states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass.

2. What does "net force" mean in Newton's 2nd Law of Motion?

Net force refers to the sum of all forces acting on an object. This includes both the magnitude and direction of the forces.

3. How is Newton's 2nd Law of Motion different from the 3rd Law?

The 3rd Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that when one object exerts a force on another, the second object will exert an equal and opposite force back. In contrast, the 2nd Law deals with the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration.

4. Can you give an example of Newton's 2nd Law in action?

One example of Newton's 2nd Law is a person pushing a shopping cart. The force exerted by the person on the cart causes it to accelerate in the direction of the force. The mass of the cart also plays a role in determining the acceleration - a heavier cart will require more force to accelerate compared to a lighter cart.

5. How are Newton's 2nd and 3rd Laws related?

The 2nd and 3rd Laws are related in that they both describe the relationship between forces and motion. The 2nd Law explains how forces affect the acceleration of an object, while the 3rd Law explains how forces are always equal and opposite in a pair of interacting objects. Together, these laws help us understand how objects move and interact with each other in the physical world.

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