Applying Newton's Third Law to Tetherball

In summary, Newton's Third Law of Motion states that forces always occur in pairs, with an action and reaction force. This can be seen in the example of a tetherball, where the pole exerts a force on the ball through the connecting rope, and the ball exerts an equal and opposite force on the pole. This is similar to pushing on a wall, where the wall pushes back with an equal force.
  • #1
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Homework Statement


How does Newton's Third Law of Motion apply to a tetherball?


Homework Equations


N/A


The Attempt at a Solution


Forces always occur in pairs (action/reaction force).
I know that when you're pushing on a wall, the wall pushes back on you, which is why you don't move at all. But what is the reaction force from the tetherball?
 
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  • #2
The tetherball situation is similar to you pushing on the wall.

The pole is pulling on the ball through the rope connecting them. So, what is the ball doing to the pole through the rope?
 
  • #3
The ball is pulling on the pole through the rope?
Okay. I think I got it. Thank you!
 

What is Newton's Third Law of Motion?

Newton's Third Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that when an object exerts a force on another object, the second object will exert an equal force in the opposite direction.

How does Newton's Third Law of Motion impact everyday life?

Newton's Third Law of Motion can be seen in many everyday situations, such as when you walk, your feet push against the ground and the ground pushes back with an equal force, allowing you to move forward. It also explains how rockets are able to launch into space by pushing against the ground with a powerful force, and the ground pushing back with an equal force, propelling the rocket upwards.

Can Newton's Third Law of Motion be applied to objects at rest?

Yes, Newton's Third Law of Motion can be applied to objects at rest. Even though an object may not be moving, it still exerts a force on its surroundings and experiences an equal and opposite force in return. For example, a book resting on a table is exerting a downward force on the table, and the table is exerting an equal and opposite upward force on the book.

What is the difference between action and reaction in Newton's Third Law of Motion?

The action and reaction forces in Newton's Third Law of Motion are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. The difference between them is that the action force is exerted by one object on another, while the reaction force is exerted by the second object back on the first object.

Are there any exceptions to Newton's Third Law of Motion?

Newton's Third Law of Motion is a fundamental law of physics and applies to all objects and forces. However, in some cases, it may seem like the reaction force is not equal to the action force. This is because the objects involved may have different masses, resulting in different accelerations and velocities. In these cases, the forces are still equal and opposite, but their effects on the objects may be different.

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