An astronaut is stranded outside her spaceship. She is wearing a tool belt that contains a device that releases jets of air. Can the astronaut get back to her spaceship? Explain how.(1 point)

Responses

The astronaut can release air from the device in all directions around her in the hopes that she will move towards the spaceship.
The astronaut can release air from the device in all directions around her in the hopes that she will move towards the spaceship.

The astronaut can release air from the device in a direction that points towards the spaceship.
The astronaut can release air from the device in a direction that points towards the spaceship.

The astronaut cannot get back to her spaceship.
The astronaut cannot get back to her spaceship.

The astronaut can release air from the device in a direction that points away from the spaceship.

Football player #29 is tackled on the field by player #5. Identify the action force and the reaction force in this tackle.(1 point)
Responses

Football player #5 exerts an action force against player #29. Player #29’s force is a reaction force against player #5.
Football player #5 exerts an action force against player #29. Player #29’s force is a reaction force against player #5.

The forces produced by both players are reaction forces.
The forces produced by both players are reaction forces.

Football player #5’s push against player #29 is a reaction force. Player #29’s push back against player #5 is an action force.
Football player #5’s push against player #29 is a reaction force. Player #29’s push back against player #5 is an action force.

The forces produced by both players are action forces.

What do action and reaction forces act on?(1 point)
Responses

Different parts of the same object
Different parts of the same object

Similar parts of two different objects
Similar parts of two different objects

Two different objects
Two different objects

The same object

How does Newton’s third law apply to a fish swimming through water?(1 point)
Responses

The fish swallows water. When the fish spits out the water, the force of the water moves the fish.
The fish swallows water. When the fish spits out the water, the force of the water moves the fish.

The water pushes against the fish’s body.
The water pushes against the fish’s body.

The fish’s fins wiggle to create a force that propels the fish forward.
The fish’s fins wiggle to create a force that propels the fish forward.

A fish pushes water backwards with its fins is the action. The water pushing the fish forward is the reaction.

When you bounce a basketball on the floor, the ball bounces back up. Explain the forces that are involved in this action.(1 point)
Responses

The ball pushes against the floor.
The ball pushes against the floor.

The floor pushes against the ball.
The floor pushes against the ball.

When the ball hits the floor, the ball pushes down against the floor and the floor pushes back against the ball.
When the ball hits the floor, the ball pushes down against the floor and the floor pushes back against the ball.

The floor pushes on the player’s hands.

1 answer

Here are the correct responses based on the principles of physics:

  1. Can the astronaut get back to her spaceship?

    • Response: The astronaut can release air from the device in a direction that points towards the spaceship.
    • Explanation: By releasing air in the direction of the spaceship, she will create a thrust that propels her towards it, utilizing Newton's third law of motion (action and reaction).
  2. Identify the action force and the reaction force in the tackle.

    • Response: Football player #5 exerts an action force against player #29. Player #29’s force is a reaction force against player #5.
    • Explanation: According to Newton's third law, for every action force, there is an equal and opposite reaction force. Player #5 pushes on player #29, and player #29 pushes back.
  3. What do action and reaction forces act on?

    • Response: Two different objects.
    • Explanation: Action and reaction forces are always equal in size and opposite in direction, and they act on two different objects.
  4. How does Newton’s third law apply to a fish swimming through water?

    • Response: A fish pushes water backwards with its fins is the action. The water pushing the fish forward is the reaction.
    • Explanation: The fish exerts a force on the water, and in response, the water exerts an equal and opposite force on the fish, propelling it forward.
  5. Explain the forces that are involved when you bounce a basketball on the floor.

    • Response: When the ball hits the floor, the ball pushes down against the floor and the floor pushes back against the ball.
    • Explanation: When the basketball makes contact with the floor, it exerts a downward force (action), and the floor exerts an upward force (reaction) that causes the ball to bounce back up.