According to Newtons third law of motion when one object exerts a force on a second object what is true about the forces?

A. they are equal in magnitude

B. they are opposite in magnitude and equal in direction

C. they are opposite in magnitude and opposite in direction

D. they are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction

Question

Physics

Francis Hensley

26 July, 08:31

According to Newtons third law of motion when one object exerts a force on a second object what is true about the forces?

A. they are equal in magnitude

B. they are opposite in magnitude and equal in direction

C. they are opposite in magnitude and opposite in direction

D. they are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction

+4

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Dennis Wise · Answer 1

D. They are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction

Explanation:

Newton's third law states that the action force is always associated with a reaction force. When a body 'A' exerts a force on body 'B', it is called the force of action. When the body 'B' in turn resist the force of 'A' is called the reaction force. It is the reactive force acted upon by the body 'B' on 'A'. This reaction force is equal in magnitude of the action force. If the two bodies remain in the same horizontal line, the 'A' exerts a force in the direction towards 'B' and the body 'B' exerts a reaction force in the direction towards 'A'. Hence, the two forces that are exerted by the bodies are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.