Question

When swimmers push against the wall of a pool with their feet, they are pushed away from the wall. Which of Newton's laws explains why this occurs?
Newton's first law

Newton's second law

Newton's third law

all of Newton's laws

Answer 1

Newton's third law explains why this occurs. It states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In this case, the swimmer pushing against the wall exerts a force on the wall, and the wall exerts an equal and opposite force back on the swimmer, pushing them away from the wall.