Question

krista is playing tennis at the park. when the tennis ball flies toward her, krisia hits the ball with her racket, which causes the ball to fly in the opposite direction. according to newtons third law of motion, which of the following is true? a. when the racket hits the tennis ball with a force, the ball applies a much weaker force in the opposite direction of the rackets force. b. when the racket hits the tennis ball with a force, the ball applies an equal force in the same direction as the rackets force. c. when the racket hits the tennis ball with a force, the ball does not apply any reaction force to the racket. d. when the racket hits the tennis ball with a force, the tennis ball applies an equal but opposite force to the racket.

Explanation:

Newton's third law of motion states that for every action force, there is an equal and opposite reaction force. The racket exerting a force on the ball (action) results in the ball exerting an identical magnitude force back on the racket, in the reverse direction.

Answer:

D. When the racket hits the tennis ball with a force, the tennis ball applies an equal but opposite force to the racket.