What force am i overcoming when i move an object? break it?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the forces involved when moving an object, specifically in the context of Newton's laws of motion. The original poster is exploring the relationship between the force they exert on an object, such as a desk, and the forces acting on that object, including weight and friction.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning what specific forces need to be overcome to move or break an object, including weight and friction. There is an exploration of Newton's third law regarding action and reaction forces.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights into the forces at play and prompting further inquiry into the original poster's understanding of the concepts. There is a focus on clarifying the forces involved without reaching a definitive conclusion.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of Newton's laws in practical scenarios, such as pushing a desk, and discussing the forces that must be overcome, including friction and weight. The original poster's understanding of these concepts is still developing.

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Homework Statement


What force am i overcoming when i move an object? break it?

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The Attempt at a Solution



I don't know if there's a forum for more basic conceptual topics but I'm learning about Newtons. I learned the famous for action there is an = and opposite reaction. When I push , let's say my desk, am I simply exerting more force than the desks mass? If I pushed the desk with enough force that it broke, is it still exerting an = and opposite reaction on me?
 
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What force do you think is acting on it?
 
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jedishrfu said:
What force do you think is acting on it?
The force acting on the table is me. I believe that if I overcome the weight of the table with my force it will move..Maybe if I overcome the forces holding together the table it will break. But at that point, It's still exerting a force equal and opposite on me?
 
You talk about overcoming the "weight of the table." What force are you actually trying to 'overcome' here?
 
mrnike992 said:
You talk about overcoming the "weight of the table." What force are you actually trying to 'overcome' here?
Well weight (m*g) and friction, right?
 
For the sake of simplicity, we'll say that you're pushing only in the 'x' direction. Perfectly horizontally. This would mean that the force you'd need to overcome would indeed be friction.

Friction here, is due to the normal force between the ground and the bottom of the table. In this situation, force normal would be equal to the weight of the table, or the force of gravity acting upon the table.

As for this;
RUphysics3 said:
is it still exerting an = and opposite reaction on me?
What does Newton's third law say?
 
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