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

[RUphysics3]

Homework Statement

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

Homework Equations

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?

 

[jedishrfu]

What force do you think is acting on it?

 

[RUphysics3]

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?

 

[mrnike992]

You talk about overcoming the "weight of the table." What force are you actually trying to 'overcome' here?

 

[RUphysics3]

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?

 

[mrnike992]

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;

is it still exerting an = and opposite reaction on me?

What does Newton's third law say?