The expression "Every action has an equal but opposite reaction" is often used in everyday speech. A local government may pass a law that is unpopular, which is the action, and some citizens later react by trying to get the law repealed. Which of the following shows why this set of actions differs from Newton's third law in physics?

a. The action and reaction are not in opposite directions.

b. The action and reaction do not occur at the same instant of time.

c. The action and reaction do not act on the same object.

d. People cannot exert forces.

Question

Physics

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14 June, 17:50

The expression "Every action has an equal but opposite reaction" is often used in everyday speech. A local government may pass a law that is unpopular, which is the action, and some citizens later react by trying to get the law repealed. Which of the following shows why this set of actions differs from Newton's third law in physics?

a. The action and reaction are not in opposite directions.

b. The action and reaction do not occur at the same instant of time.

c. The action and reaction do not act on the same object.

d. People cannot exert forces.

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Answers (1)

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Barbara Oconnor · Answer 1

b. The action and reaction do not occur at the same instant of time.

Explanation:

In newton's third reaction occurs just after the action is completed without any time lag for example of you hit the wall, your hands feel the pain immediately after the contact between the wall and the hand. Whereas in the given situation, the action and reaction do not occur at the same instant of time.

A local government may pass a law that is unpopular, which is the action, and some citizens later react by trying to get the law repealed.