Question

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

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

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.

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.