What Does Same Type Mean in Newton's Third Law?

In summary, Newton's 3rd law of motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This can be seen in everyday situations, such as walking and sports, and also applies to non-contact forces like gravity and magnetism. It differs from Newton's 2nd law of motion, which focuses on the motion of a single object, and is related to the conservation of momentum.
  • #1
sanscie
1
0
my question is as follows.


when an object x exerts a force on object y, then object y exert a force of the SAME TYPE that is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction on object x

Explain what is meant by of the same type in this statement?
 
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  • #2
Hi sanscie and welcome to PF. It means that if x exerts, say, an electric force on y then y exerts also an electric force on x. Furthermore, the mathematical expressions that give the magnitudes of the two forces are identical, only the directions are opposite.
 

What is Newton's 3rd law of motion?

Newton's 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 object, the second object will exert an equal and opposite force back on the first object.

How does Newton's 3rd law of motion apply to everyday life?

Newton's 3rd law of motion can be seen in many everyday situations, such as when a person walks, the force they exert on the ground causes the ground to push back with an equal force, propelling the person forward. It also applies to sports, such as when a baseball player hits a ball, the ball exerts an equal and opposite force back on the bat, causing it to move in the opposite direction.

Can Newton's 3rd law of motion be applied to non-contact forces?

Yes, Newton's 3rd law of motion can be applied to non-contact forces, such as gravitational and magnetic forces. For example, the force of gravity between the Earth and the moon is equal and opposite, causing the moon to orbit around the Earth.

What is the difference between Newton's 3rd law of motion and 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. In contrast, Newton's 3rd law of motion focuses on the equal and opposite forces between two objects, rather than the motion of a single object.

How does Newton's 3rd law of motion relate to conservation of momentum?

Newton's 3rd law of motion is related to the conservation of momentum, as the equal and opposite forces between two objects cause their momentum to be conserved. This means that the total momentum of the two objects before and after the interaction remains the same.

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