Question

Caleb is playing baseball outside. When he hits the ball with the bat, the bat applies a force to the ball. At the same time, the ball
A.
does not apply any reaction force to the bat.
B.
applies a much weaker force in the opposite direction of the bat's force.
C.
applies an equal but opposite force to the bat.
D.
applies an equal force in the same direction as the bat's force

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

C. applies an equal but opposite force to the bat.

This is in accordance with Newton's Third Law of Motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When the bat exerts a force on the ball, the ball exerts an equal force in the opposite direction on the bat.