Question

newton’s third law of motion states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. which of these illustrates newton’s third law? choose one option a two students of similar mass run into each other. they bounce off each other when they collide. b two students of similar mass run side by side into a wall and punch holes of equal size before emerging on the other side. c two students of similar mass run in opposite directions, but one accelerates at twice the rate of the other. d two students of similar mass run at the same speed in opposite directions on a track. they will collide with 400 newtons of force in 400 meters.

Explanation:

Newton's Third Law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction (action - reaction pairs, forces on two interacting objects). Let's analyze each option:

• Option A: When two students of similar mass collide, the force exerted by one student on the other (action) has an equal and opposite force exerted by the second student on the first (reaction), causing them to bounce off. This matches the action - reaction concept of Newton's Third Law.
• Option B: Running side - by - side into a wall and punching holes does not involve an action - reaction between the two students (they are acting on the wall, not each other in a paired force interaction as per the third law).
• Option C: Running in opposite directions with different accelerations is related to Newton's Second Law ($F = ma$) about force, mass, and acceleration, not the third law's action - reaction.
• Option D: Running in opposite directions on a track and the mention of force and distance is more about kinematics or work (not the third law's action - reaction between two interacting objects).

Answer:

A. Two students of similar mass run into each other. They bounce off each other when they collide.