Does the Soccer Ball Move If I Kick It with Equal Force?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Dynamics101
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Ball Force
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies that when a soccer ball is kicked, it moves due to the difference in mass between the ball and the foot. According to Newton's Third Law, the force exerted by the foot on the ball is equal to the force exerted by the ball on the foot; however, the ball's smaller mass allows it to accelerate rapidly. This results in noticeable motion of the soccer ball while the foot experiences minimal acceleration due to its greater mass.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's Laws of Motion
  • Basic knowledge of mass and acceleration
  • Familiarity with force and its measurement
  • Concept of action-reaction pairs in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Newton's Second Law of Motion and its application in real-world scenarios
  • Explore the concept of mass and acceleration in detail
  • Investigate action-reaction pairs with practical examples
  • Learn about the effects of force on different masses in various contexts
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators explaining fundamental concepts, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of motion and force interactions.

Dynamics101
Messages
28
Reaction score
4
If i kick a soccer ball, the soccer ball exerts the same force on my foot as i exert of the ball. In that case, why does the soccer ball move at all. If the forces are equal should there be motion. I know it a dumb question but i need some deep explanation. Also can I exert force on something and have the forces be unequal? Or will force always be equal regardless.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
It's not that deep,
The soccer ball has a smaller mass than your body does.
Therefore the force exerted on the soccer ball by you causes the ball to accelerate rapidly.
The equivalent force applied by the ball to your foot is the same amount but it doesn't accelerate your 'heavier' foot very much.
(It will be noticeable though.)
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Dynamics101
Thank you bud :D
 
Dynamics101 said:
If i kick a soccer ball, the soccer ball exerts the same force on my foot as i exert of the ball. In that case, why does the soccer ball move at all. If the forces are equal should there be motion. I know it a dumb question but i need some deep explanation. Also can I exert force on something and have the forces be unequal? Or will force always be equal regardless.
https://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/physics/horsecart.htm
 

Similar threads

Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 51 ·
2
Replies
51
Views
5K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 60 ·
3
Replies
60
Views
6K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
4K