Does the Ball Do Work on the Kid? Newton's Third Law Explained

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SUMMARY

In the discussion regarding Newton's Third Law, participants debated whether a ball does work on a kid when caught. The consensus is that while the ball exerts an equal force on the kid, it does not do work in the traditional sense since the kid is not significantly displaced by the ball. However, considering the motion of the kid's hands, there is a minimal displacement, suggesting that the ball does perform work on the kid during the interaction.

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  • Understanding of Newton's Laws of Motion
  • Basic knowledge of work and energy concepts in physics
  • Familiarity with force and motion interactions
  • Ability to analyze physical scenarios involving forces
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of Newton's Third Law in various physical scenarios
  • Explore the concept of work in physics, focusing on displacement and force
  • Investigate real-world applications of force interactions, such as sports dynamics
  • Review examples of energy transfer in elastic and inelastic collisions
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Students studying physics, educators teaching Newton's Laws, and anyone interested in understanding force interactions in everyday scenarios.

harp AP 2010
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Homework Statement


Newton's 3rd law says that a ball exerts as much force on a kid as the kid exerts force on the ball. Is it correct to say the ball does work on the kid?


Homework Equations


I don't think the ball does work because the kid is not moved by the ball.


The Attempt at a Solution

 
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If you think of it from the point of view of the kid's hands then there is some motion to the kid. He doesn't just catch it with his hands and they (his hands) stay still, rather they move back a certain distance, albeit a relatively small distance. So yes, the ball does do work on the kid.

*Sorry just realized that the situation didn't involve him catching the ball at all.*
 

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