Question
Which situation most clearly presents an example of Newton's third law of motion? a \( \quad \) A dropped ball continues to accelerate as it moves toward the ground. b \( \quad \) A dropped ball bounces because the earth exerts a force on the ball when they collide. c d dropped ball will continue in its state of motion unless it is acted upon by an external force. d dropped ball experiences the forces of air resistance and gravity as it falls.
Ask by Chen Beck. in the United States
Mar 14,2025
Upstudy AI Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
A dropped ball bounces because the Earth exerts a force on the ball when they collide, illustrating Newton's third law of motion.
Solution
To identify which situation most clearly presents an example of Newton's third law of motion, let's first recall what Newton's third law states: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that when one object exerts a force on another object, the second object exerts a force of equal magnitude and opposite direction back on the first object.
Now, let's analyze each option:
a) A dropped ball continues to accelerate as it moves toward the ground.
- This describes the motion of the ball under the influence of gravity but does not illustrate the action-reaction pair.
b) A dropped ball bounces because the earth exerts a force on the ball when they collide.
- This situation illustrates Newton's third law. When the ball hits the ground, the Earth exerts a force on the ball (action), and the ball exerts an equal and opposite force on the Earth (reaction), which is why it bounces.
c) A dropped ball will continue in its state of motion unless it is acted upon by an external force.
- This describes Newton's first law of motion (the law of inertia) rather than the third law.
d) A dropped ball experiences the forces of air resistance and gravity as it falls.
- This describes the forces acting on the ball but does not illustrate the action-reaction pairs of forces.
Based on this analysis, the situation that most clearly presents an example of Newton's third law of motion is:
**b) A dropped ball bounces because the earth exerts a force on the ball when they collide.**
Answered by UpStudy AI and reviewed by a Professional Tutor
Like
error msg
Explain 
Simplify this solution The Deep Dive
When a dropped ball bounces, it’s a perfect illustration of Newton's third law of motion! That’s when the Earth exerts an upward force on the ball, equal and opposite to the downward force the ball applies on Earth during their collision. It’s a dance of forces if you will—like nature’s way of saying, “You push, I push back!” In everyday life, we can spot this law in action everywhere! Think about when you paddle a canoe. As your paddle pushes water backward, the water pushes the canoe forward. It’s like a cosmic high-five between you and nature, demonstrating how every action has a reaction. So, whether you're on land or water, Newton's third law is always ready to play!
