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Discussion » Questions » Science and Technology » If action = reaction, how does anything move?

If action = reaction, how does anything move?

According to Newton, every force has an equal and opposite force. If I am going forward with the force of 10 newtons, there is a force of 10 newtons pushing me back. Wouldn't the forces cancel each other out? What's the deal with stuff moving?

Posted - November 14, 2019

Responses


  • 13395
    Because the action/reaction are never equally matched opposite.  One always overwhelmes the other. 
      November 14, 2019 10:56 AM MST
    4

  • 13251
    overwhelmes overwhelms
      November 14, 2019 11:09 AM MST
    3

  • 46117
    Do you have a clue what you are saying?  Do you?  Cuz I don't
      November 14, 2019 7:27 PM MST
    3

  • 44175
    He is correct, but read mine for details.
      November 15, 2019 9:17 AM MST
    2

  • 44175
    In the case of a force against each other they are equal and opposite, therefore no motion. F=ma
      November 15, 2019 9:19 AM MST
    2

  • 13395
    Yes ok; IF they are equal. 
      November 15, 2019 9:26 AM MST
    2

  • 44175
    They MUST be, or something will move. The wall pushing back is a virtual force as it is not actively doing anything. My answer below has more info.
      November 15, 2019 9:29 AM MST
    2

  • 22853
    I'm no help at all, sorry.
    :)

    No answer but I'll post what came to my mind anyway -- 

    Image result for newton cookies
      November 14, 2019 11:19 AM MST
    5

  • 13251
    LOL. I knew some wisenheimer would mention fig newtons.
      November 14, 2019 11:37 AM MST
    3

  • 22853
    Yup, leave it to me . . .
    :)

    Nice ring to it, though -- WelbyWisenheimer
      November 14, 2019 11:43 AM MST
    4

  • 46117
    Darn tootin' I loathe Fig Newtons.
      November 14, 2019 7:27 PM MST
    4

  • 22853
    Ha!
    :)

    (I've always liked them a lot! Fig Newtons and prunes/prune juice and raisin bran - - since a young little boy! What a weirdo!)
      November 14, 2019 8:20 PM MST
    4

  • 46117
    Love Rasin bran, don't like raisins.  Love Figs. Don't like those Newtons.  

    I'm a bigger weirdo.  
      November 15, 2019 1:28 AM MST
    3

  • 22853
    :)
    Ha!

      November 15, 2019 6:40 AM MST
    3

  • 10026
    The bigger the weirdo you are the more we feel normal.  I'm not sure if that is good or bad. 
    Whatever the case, keep being it. :) :)
      November 15, 2019 11:06 AM MST
    3

  • 10026
    I happen to like figs and fig newtons.  Not that it matters but maybe that is why some forces work and some don't... action and reaction??
      November 15, 2019 11:09 AM MST
    3

  • 44175
      Your statement is correct for an (to us) immovable object, such as a wall or a large boulder. If we push an object and it moves with an ever increasing velocity, the force applied by the object is negative and the same magnitude. To me the third law is  is sketchy in the case of immovable objects. We have to create a virtual force mathematically. The wall can't actually push back. It is the same case for orbital motion. Centripetal force that which points toward the center of the motion. We had to create a virtual centrifugal force to keep an object from flying away. These are, of course, simplifications.
      November 14, 2019 12:47 PM MST
    7

  • 14795
    That's not so true Papa ...as you must Shirley know by now,I'm and irremovably object somewhat like an inaccessible thorn in your side that can't ever be reached from across the pond....unless you're like the long are of the Law....  :) 
      November 14, 2019 4:07 PM MST
    5

  • 44175
    My daughter...I could move you with a wink.
      November 14, 2019 5:09 PM MST
    4

  • 14795
    A nod is as good as a wink to a blind man .....:)
      November 14, 2019 6:00 PM MST
    4

  • 10026
    Liquid, my dear, like the pond between us, will find a way.
      November 15, 2019 10:12 AM MST
    3

  • 14795
    That I would love two sea...:)D
      November 15, 2019 2:45 PM MST
    1

  • 14795
    It the reaction to the attraction that I love the most ,and No, I'm not sharing the Photos again....:( 
      November 14, 2019 3:55 PM MST
    4

  • 2327
    Why does the sun come up, or are the stars just pinholes in the curtain of night?

    Who knows?

    All I have to say is this...



      November 14, 2019 6:16 PM MST
    5