Exploring the Physics of Newton's Third Law: Acceleration of a Box

[gotwind]

Homework Statement

Newtons third law tells that if you push a box with 15N force, it pushes back on you with 15N force. How can you ever accelerate this box if it always pushes back with the same force you exert on it? explain briefly

 

[iRaid]

The box isn't accelerating so the sum of the forces is going to equal 0.

 

[jmb88korean]

You are applying a force on the box in one direction. Nothing is applying a force on the BOX in the opposite dirrection you are. The force the box acts on us is countered by our muscles which force our body to stay in the spot we are.

 

[Doc Al]

Newtons third law tells that if you push a box with 15N force, it pushes back on you with 15N force. How can you ever accelerate this box if it always pushes back with the same force you exert on it?

Ask yourself: Do the two equal and opposite forces from Newton's 3rd law both act on the box?

 

[rwisz]

While it may seem counterintuitive, the acceleration of the box can still occur even though it pushes back with the same force you exert on it. This is because Newton's third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. So while the box may push back on you with 15N of force, your hand is also experiencing a force of 15N in the opposite direction. This means that there is a net force of 15N acting on the box, causing it to accelerate.

Additionally, the acceleration of the box is dependent on its mass. If the box has a smaller mass, it will accelerate more easily with the same amount of force. So even though the box is pushing back with the same 15N force, the smaller mass allows it to accelerate more easily.

Another factor to consider is the friction between the box and the surface it is on. If there is a significant amount of friction, it will require more force to overcome it and accelerate the box. However, if the surface is smooth and there is minimal friction, the box may accelerate more easily with the same amount of force.

In summary, while the box may push back with the same force you exert on it, there are other factors such as mass and friction that can affect its acceleration. Newton's third law does not prevent the acceleration of an object, but rather explains the relationship between the forces acting on it.