Why Does a Canoe Move Away When a Package Is Thrown to Shore?

AI Thread Summary
When a person in a canoe throws a package to shore, the canoe moves away due to Newton's third law of motion. The force exerted on the package results in an equal and opposite reaction force that pushes the canoe backward. This reaction force increases the total force acting on the canoe, causing it to move away from the shore. The interaction with the water does not negate this motion; it merely slows the canoe's movement. Thus, the canoe's movement is primarily a result of the forces involved in the action of throwing the package.
Balsam
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Homework Statement


Explain why when a person in a canoe throws a package onto the shore, the canoe moves away from the shore?

Homework Equations


No equations, just Newton's third law.

The Attempt at a Solution


I think it's because the person applies a force onto the package and the package applies a reaction force onto the person.This increases the force being applied to the canoe, which increases the force that the canoe is applying on the water. Thus, the water applies that same amount of force on the canow, pushing it forwards. Is this correct?
 
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Balsam said:
I think it's because the person applies a force onto the package and the package applies a reaction force onto the person.This increases the force being applied to the canoe
You can stop there. That force pushes the canoe in a direction away from the shore. The water doesn't need to be considered. All it does is slow down (but not eliminate) the motion of the canoe away from the shore.
 
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