Why don't forces cancel each other out when they act on two different bodies?

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Forces acting on different bodies do not cancel each other out, even if they are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. This is because each force affects its respective body independently. If two equal and opposite forces were to act on the same body, they would cancel each other out. An example illustrates this: when two players hit billiard balls with equal and opposite forces, both balls will move rather than remain stationary. Understanding this principle clarifies why forces do not negate each other when applied to separate objects.
manimaran1605
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Why forces acts on two different bodies with same magnitude and opposite in direction doesn't cancel each other?
 
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manimaran1605 said:
Why forces acts on two different bodies with same magnitude and opposite in direction doesn't cancel each other?
Because each force acts on a different body. If two equal and opposite forces act on the same body, then they do cancel.
 
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Doc Al said:
Because each force acts on a different body. If two equal and opposite forces act on the same body, then they do cancel.

This question is being asked very frequently. Is there any FAQ for this?
 
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Let me give you an example. You and your friend are standing at opposite sides of a billiard table facing each other. Then you hit two balls simultaneously with equal and opposite forces. Do you expect that the two balls don't move?
 

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