Question

an ice skater pushes off a railing. which of the following is the reaction force? (a) the force of the skater pushing off the railing (b) the force of the railing pushing back on the skater (c) the force of friction from the ice (d) the force of gravity a b c d

Explanation:

Newton's third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The action here is the skater pushing on the railing (action force). The reaction force should be the railing pushing back on the skater with an equal magnitude and opposite direction. Option (a) is the action force, (c) is friction unrelated to the push - off reaction, and (d) is gravity which is a different force. So the reaction force is the force of the railing pushing back on the skater.

Answer:

b. the force of the railing pushing back on the skater