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Chapter 4: Q17CQ (page 160)

Describe a situation in which one system exerts a force on another and, as a consequence, experiences a force that is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. Which of Newton’s laws of motion apply?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The firing of a bullet through a rifle is an example where Newton’s Third Law of Motion comes into the picture.

Step by step solution

01

Concept of Newton’s third law of motion

Newton’s Third Law of Motion states that whenever a body exerts a force on another body, the first body experiences a force that is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force that it exerts.

02

Situation where Newton’s Third Law of Motion comes into action

Take the case of firing through a rifle. When the bullet is fired, the rifle pushes forward on the bullet through a gunpowder explosion. As the rifle pushes the bullet, the bullet pushes backward upon the rifle. So, the bullet and the rifle form an action-reaction pair.

In the above case, the force exerted by the rifle on the bullet is exerted back by the bullet, which is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Since astronauts in orbit are apparently weightless, a clever method of measuring their masses is needed to monitor their mass gains or losses to adjust diets. One way to do this is to exert a known force on an astronaut and measure the acceleration produced. Suppose a net external force of 50.0 N is exerted and the astronaut’s acceleration is measured to be 0.893 m/s2.

(a) Calculate her mass.

(b) By exerting a force on the astronaut, the vehicle in which they orbit experiences an equal and opposite force. Discuss how this would affect the measurement of the astronaut’s acceleration. Propose a method in which recoil of the vehicle is avoided.

In Figure 4.7, the net external force on the 24-kg mower is stated to be 51 N. If the force of friction opposing the motion is 24 N, what force F (in newtons) is the person exerting on the mower? Suppose the mower is moving at 1.5 m/s when the force F is removed. How far will the mower go before stopping?

A system can have a nonzero velocity while the net external force on it is zero. Describe such a situation.

A rock is thrown straight up. What is the net external force acting on the rock when it is at the top of its trajectory?

Give a detailed example of how the exchange of a particle can result in an attractive force. (For example, consider one child pulling a toy out of the hands of another.)
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