Question

If the forces that two interacting objects exert on each other are always exactly equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, how is it possible for an object to accelerate?

Short answer

Explain your answer based on Newton's laws of motion. Answer: Yes, an object can accelerate even though the action and reaction forces are equal and opposite. This is because these forces act on different objects, and each object experiences a net force that can cause it to accelerate, as dictated by Newton's Second Law of Motion (F = ma).

Step-by-step solution

Understand Newton's Third Law

Newton's Third Law of Motion states that for every action force, there is an equal and opposite reaction force. This means that when two objects interact, the forces they exert on each other are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.

Consider the forces acting on different objects

Although the forces between the two objects are equal and opposite, these forces act on different objects. The acceleration of an object depends on the net force acting on it, not the forces acting on other objects.

Apply Newton's Second Law

According to Newton's Second Law of Motion, the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. Mathematically, it is represented as F = ma, where F is the net force acting on the object, m is the mass of the object, and a is the acceleration it experiences.

Recognize that net force causes acceleration

If there is a net force acting on an object, that object will experience an acceleration as dictated by Newton's Second Law. Even though the action and reaction forces are equal and opposite, they act on different objects, and each object experiences a net force that can cause it to accelerate. So, in conclusion, it is possible for an object to accelerate due to the fact that the action and reaction forces act on different objects and each object experiences a net force that can cause it to accelerate.