A swimmer in a race completes a flip turn and uses the action of her legs to push away from the wall of the pool while being supported by the water. Which statement most accurately describes the swimmer in the pool according to Newton’s Third Law?

Question

(1 point)
Responses

only the swimmer exerts a force on the wall
only the swimmer exerts a force on the wall

the only forces that cause the motion of the swimmer are the swimmer’s leg muscles and the water
the only forces that cause the motion of the swimmer are the swimmer’s leg muscles and the water

the force between the swimmer’s legs and the wall of the pool are balanced as the swimmer leaves the wall.
the force between the swimmer’s legs and the wall of the pool are balanced as the swimmer leaves the wall.

the swimmer exerts a force on the wall; the wall exerts an equal and opposite force on the swimmer

Answer 1

The statement that most accurately describes the swimmer in the pool according to Newton’s Third Law is:

the swimmer exerts a force on the wall; the wall exerts an equal and opposite force on the swimmer.

This statement is in line with Newton's Third Law, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When the swimmer pushes against the wall with her legs, the wall exerts an equal force back on the swimmer, propelling her away from the wall.