A ball bounces on the ground. How do the ball and the ground act on each other?

Question

1. The ball exerts a stronger force than the ground and in the opposite direction.
2. The ball and the ground exert forces on each other with equal magnitude but in opposite directions.
3. The ball exerts a stronger force than the ground but in the same direction.
4. The ball and the ground exert forces on each other with equal magnitude and in the same direction.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

2. The ball and the ground exert forces on each other with equal magnitude but in opposite directions.

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