Newton's Third Law Physics Example 4

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Example 4

easy
A rocket pushes exhaust gases backward with a force of 4.0×104 N4.0 \times 10^4 \text{ N}. What force do the gases exert on the rocket?

Solution

  1. 1
    Newton's third law says interaction forces come in equal-and-opposite pairs.
  2. 2
    So the gases exert a force of 4.0×104 N4.0 \times 10^4 \text{ N} on the rocket in the opposite direction.

Answer

4.0×104 N forward4.0 \times 10^4 \text{ N forward}
The rocket moves forward because the exhaust gases push back on it with the same force magnitude that the rocket applies to the gases, but in the opposite direction.

About Newton's Third Law

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

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More Newton's Third Law Examples

Example 1 easy

A person pushes against a wall with a force of [formula]. What force does the wall exert on the pers

Example 2 medium

A [formula] skater pushes a [formula] skater with a force of [formula]. What is the acceleration of

Example 3 easy

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

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