Question

use Newton’s laws to explain why a cannon rolls backward after shooting a cannonball forwards.

Answer 1

As the cannonball is pushed forwards by the expanding high-pressure gases created by the exploding gunpowder, it pushes back on these gases. The gases push back on the cannon itself, causing it to roll backwards.

alternative answer: the cannon pushes forward on the cannonball. the reaction force is the cannonball pushing backwards on the cannon.

Answer 2

thanks unknown