An octopus propels itself through the water by ejecting water through a funnel in its body. How does this demonstrate Newton’s third law? (1 point)

When the octopus ejects the water out, the water acts with an equal force on the surrounding water in the opposite direction.
When the octopus ejects the water out, the water acts with an equal force on the surrounding water in the opposite direction.

When the octopus ejects the water out, the water acts with an equal force on the octopus in the opposite direction.
When the octopus ejects the water out, the water acts with an equal force on the octopus in the opposite direction.

When the octopus ejects the water out, the water acts with an equal force on the surrounding water in the same direction.
When the octopus ejects the water out, the water acts with an equal force on the surrounding water in the same direction.

When the octopus ejects the water out, the water acts with an equal force on the octopus in the same direction.

1 answer

The correct explanation demonstrating Newton's third law in this context is:

When the octopus ejects the water out, the water acts with an equal force on the octopus in the opposite direction.

This statement reflects Newton's third law, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When the octopus expels water backward, the water exerts an equal force forward on the octopus, propelling it in that direction.