Newton’s Third Law: Action and Reaction
Definition of the Law: Newton’s Third Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that forces always occur in pairs; when one object exerts a force on another, the second object simultaneously exerts a force of equal magnitude and opposite direction back on the first object.
Real-World Example: Rowing a Boat
Example Explanation: When a person rows a boat, they push the water backward with the oars.
How the Example Demonstrates the Law:
- Action: The oars push water backward (action force).
- Reaction: The water pushes the oars (and thus the boat) forward with an equal force (reaction force).
This interaction shows Newton's Third Law at work: the force exerted by the oars on the water results in an equal force exerted by the water on the oars, propelling the boat forward. This illustrates the principle that for every force exerted, there is an opposing force that acts in the reverse direction, maintaining the balance of actions and reactions in physical movements.