Question about Newton's 3rd law

  • Thread starter Thread starter nosecs411
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Law
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Newton's Third Law of Motion asserts that "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." This principle clarifies that while action and reaction forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, they act on different bodies, preventing them from canceling each other out. This fundamental concept is crucial for understanding interactions in physics, particularly in mechanics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of Newtonian mechanics
  • Familiarity with force vectors
  • Knowledge of action-reaction pairs
  • Concept of equilibrium in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of Newton's Third Law in real-world applications
  • Explore examples of action-reaction pairs in various physical systems
  • Learn about force diagrams and how to represent forces visually
  • Investigate the relationship between Newton's laws and momentum conservation
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for students studying physics, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in the foundational principles of motion and forces.

nosecs411
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
haha I am kinda dumb and all and my physics teacher is like chinese and very unclear (grade eight).

Newton's third law states that "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." I understand most of it but have this question, If the reaction and original force are of the same magnitude in opposite directions, how come they do not cancel each other out?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Because they act on different bodies.
 

Similar threads

Newton's Third Law for book on a table
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Proving Newton's 3rd law from conservation of momentum
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Blowing Into Your Own Sail
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
Coefficient of kinetic friction of a block sliding across the ceiling
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Why doesn't Newtons third law also apply to the frame?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
How does Newton's 3rd law apply in this case?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Rank forces according to magnitude: Newton's 2nd/3rd laws
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
7K
Understanding the Third Law of Newton — How can the forces be equal?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Undergrad Newton's Third Law: Action & Reaction Along the Line Connecting Two Objects
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Newton's third law: Rower makes boat move forward
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K