Newton's Third Law Physics Example 1

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 1

easy
A person pushes against a wall with a force of 50Ā N50 \text{ N}. What force does the wall exert on the person?

Solution

  1. 1
    Identify the action force: the person pushes on the wall with 50Ā N50 \text{ N}.
  2. 2
    Apply Newton's third law: every action force has a reaction force equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.
  3. 3
    The wall therefore exerts a reaction force of 50Ā N50 \text{ N} back on the person, directed away from the wall.

Answer

FwallĀ onĀ person=50Ā NĀ (oppositeĀ direction)F_{\text{wall on person}} = 50 \text{ N (opposite direction)}
Newton's third law states that forces always come in action-reaction pairs. The wall pushes back on the person with the same magnitude but opposite direction.

About Newton's Third Law

For every action force, there is an equal in magnitude and opposite in direction reaction force.

Learn more about Newton's Third Law ā†’

More Newton's Third Law Examples

Example 2 medium

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Example 3 easy

A hammer strikes a nail with [formula] of force. What force does the nail exert on the hammer?

Example 4 easy

A rocket pushes exhaust gases backward with a force of [formula]. What force do the gases exert on t

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