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

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When moving an object like a desk, the primary forces to overcome are its weight and friction. The force exerted by the person must exceed these to initiate movement. If enough force is applied to break the desk, the same principle applies; the desk continues to exert an equal and opposite force on the person. Friction arises from the normal force, which equals the object's weight. Newton's third law confirms that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, maintaining the balance of forces.
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Homework Statement


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

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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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