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Quizzes > High School Quizzes > Science

Third Law of Motion Practice Quiz

Practice dynamic motion problems and real-life examples

Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 9
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Interactive paper art for Action Reaction Quiz, a physics assessment tool for high school students.

What does Newton's Third Law of Motion state?
For every reaction, there is an equal and opposite action.
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
The net force acting on an object is equal to its mass times its acceleration.
An object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
Newton's Third Law states that every action force has a corresponding reaction force that is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. This principle is fundamental in understanding how objects interact in various physical situations.
Which statement best describes action-reaction force pairs?
They cancel each other out because they occur at the same time.
They act on the same object in the same direction.
They are equal in magnitude and act on different objects in opposite directions.
One force is always larger than the other due to differing masses.
Action-reaction pairs involve two forces that are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, but they act on different objects. This distinction is key to understanding why these forces do not cancel out when analyzing an object's motion.
If you push against a wall, what force does the wall exert?
The wall exerts an equal force in the same direction as your push.
The wall exerts no force because it is immovable.
The wall exerts a force only because of friction.
The wall exerts an equal force in the opposite direction.
Regardless of the wall's lack of movement, it exerts a force equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force you apply. This phenomenon is a basic demonstration of Newton's Third Law.
When a swimmer pushes water backward, why do they move forward?
The swimmer creates a vacuum behind them.
The water pushes back with an equal and opposite force.
Water resistance accelerates the swimmer forward.
Because the water becomes lighter.
The swimmer exerts a force on the water by pushing it backward. In response, the water exerts an equal and opposite force, propelling the swimmer forward as described by Newton's Third Law.
When you sit on a chair, which of the following is an example of an action-reaction pair?
The chair exerts a normal force upward while you exert a gravitational force downward.
Your body applies a force on the chair, and the chair applies an equal force upward on you.
The gravitational force pulling you down is balanced by the gravitational force pulling the chair down.
The chair's material reacts by absorbing your force without exerting any force back.
When you sit, you exert a force on the chair that is met with an equal and opposite normal force from the chair. This direct exchange of forces perfectly illustrates Newton's Third Law in everyday situations.
During a push-off between two ice skaters, why do they move in opposite directions?
The skaters pull away using internal energy.
Because one skater is stronger than the other.
Friction between the skates and ice pushes them apart.
Each skater exerts an equal and opposite force on the other.
When two ice skaters push each other, they exert equal and opposite forces on one another. This mutual force results in both skaters moving in opposite directions, showcasing Newton's Third Law.
How does Newton's Third Law explain the motion of a rocket during launch?
The rocket's engines create a vacuum behind it.
The rocket moves upward because of the lift generated by its shape.
The rocket expels gas downwards, and the gas exerts an equal upward force on the rocket.
Gravity reverses the force of the expelled gas.
A rocket expels exhaust gases at high speed in the downward direction. As a result, the gases apply an equal and opposite force on the rocket, propelling it upward in accordance with Newton's Third Law.
Why does a gun recoil when it is fired?
The gun recoils because of friction at the muzzle.
Due to an imbalance in the explosion force within the gun.
The recoil is produced by atmospheric pressure.
The bullet's forward motion causes a backward reaction force on the gun.
When a bullet is fired, it rapidly accelerates forward, and by Newton's Third Law, the gun experiences an equal and opposite reaction force. This reaction force causes the gun to move backward, which is observed as recoil.
If a person applies a force to open a heavy door that doesn't budge, what action-reaction pair is at work?
Your hands and the door create a net force that cancels out the push.
The door's hinges provide an equal and opposite force to your push.
The door absorbs your force, resulting in no reaction.
Newton's Third Law doesn't apply when an object is stationary.
Even if the door does not move, when you exert a force on it, the door (via its hinges) exerts an equal and opposite force back. This interaction is a clear application of Newton's Third Law in a scenario where movement is prevented by other constraints.
How does rowing a boat demonstrate Newton's Third Law?
Rowing involves pushing water, which then pushes the boat forward with an equal force.
The oars generate lift that counteracts gravity.
The boat moves because the water's friction is reduced during rowing.
Rowing propels the boat by creating a vacuum in front, pulling it forward.
When rowers pull the oars, they push water backward, and the water in turn pushes the boat forward with an equal force. This mutual force exchange exemplifies Newton's Third Law in a practical setting.
In a car accelerating forward, why don't the action-reaction forces cancel each other out?
Because friction selectively opposes one of the forces.
Because the forces act on different objects - the car and the road.
They cancel each other but the engine compensates for it.
Because one force is larger due to the engine's power.
The reaction force to the car's acceleration acts on the road, not on the car itself. Since the forces act on separate entities, they do not cancel out and thus allow the car to accelerate forward.
In interactions between objects of different masses, how does Newton's Third Law apply?
Heavier objects always exert a larger force.
The objects exert equal forces regardless of their masses, but the accelerations differ.
The force magnitude is different for each object based on its mass.
Only lighter objects experience the reaction force.
According to Newton's Third Law, when two objects interact, they apply forces that are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. However, due to differences in mass, the acceleration experienced by each object will differ.
What does not affect the magnitude of the action-reaction forces between two interacting objects?
The nature of the contact between the objects.
The type of force (e.g., gravitational, electromagnetic).
The distance between the objects during interaction.
The masses of the objects.
The magnitude of forces in an action-reaction pair is determined by the interaction itself and remains independent of the masses of the objects involved. This means that regardless of mass differences, both objects experience forces of the same magnitude.
Why do both vehicles experience forces during a collision, even if one seems to be more damaged?
The vehicle with more mass absorbs all the force.
The force is only significant for the vehicle that stops first.
Both vehicles experience equal and opposite forces, but differences in structure affect the damage.
Because only the less damaged vehicle follows Newton's Third Law.
Newton's Third Law ensures that during a collision, both vehicles experience forces that are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. The discrepancy in damage is due to differences in mass, structural integrity, and energy absorption capabilities.
When a person jumps off a stationary boat, what is the correct action-reaction pair?
The person pushes the boat downward, and the boat pushes the person upward.
The person pushes the boat backward, and the boat pushes the person forward.
The boat remains unaffected due to its larger mass while the person moves.
The person pulls the boat towards them, and the boat pulls the person closer.
When a person jumps, they exert a force on the boat and receive an equal and opposite force in return, causing the boat to move slightly in the opposite direction. This interaction is a clear demonstration of Newton's Third Law acting between two separate bodies.
When a heavy truck collides with a small car, Newton's Third Law implies the forces on both vehicles are equal. Why might the car sustain more visible damage?
Because Newton's Third Law only applies to vehicles of equal mass.
Because the car's structure is less robust and absorbs more energy from the force.
Because the truck actually exerts a larger force despite the law.
Because the impact duration differs between the vehicles.
Even though the forces during the collision are equal, the car's lower mass and less rigid structure make it more susceptible to damage. The energy from the force is absorbed differently by each vehicle, resulting in more significant damage to the car.
How does Newton's Third Law explain the motion of an untethered balloon releasing air?
The pressure inside the balloon decreases, pulling it forward.
The balloon moves because the air inside it becomes lighter than the surrounding air.
The reaction force is due to the balloon's elastic material contracting.
The released air creates a reaction force that propels the balloon in the opposite direction.
When the balloon releases air, the force exerted on the air has an equal and opposite reaction force acting on the balloon. This reaction force causes the balloon to accelerate in the opposite direction, a clear application of Newton's Third Law.
In space, if an astronaut pushes against a satellite, how will the differences in mass affect their accelerations?
Neither will accelerate because of the absence of gravity.
The satellite will accelerate more due to its design.
Both will have the same acceleration since the forces are equal.
The astronaut will accelerate more than the satellite because of the lower mass.
While the forces exerted are equal in magnitude, acceleration is determined by the mass of each object. The astronaut, having a much lower mass compared to the satellite, will experience a greater acceleration.
How can Newton's Third Law be applied to analyze systems with multiple interacting forces?
By considering each pair of forces separately, recognizing that every action force has a corresponding constant reaction force.
By focusing only on the net force acting on the system as a whole.
By summing all forces on one object and equating them to zero.
By ignoring the reaction forces since they always cancel out.
Newton's Third Law helps in breaking down complex interactions by analyzing individual force pairs. Each pair, being equal and opposite, can be studied separately to understand the net effects on the objects involved.
In a propulsion system that expels mass at high speed, why does the vehicle accelerate forward?
The vehicle accelerates because the expulsion of mass decreases its overall weight.
The expelled mass creates a reaction force that propels the vehicle in the opposite direction.
The high-speed exhaust generates lift like an airplane wing.
The propulsion system harnesses gravitational forces to move forward.
The propulsion system works on the principle that expelling mass at high speed generates an equal and opposite reaction force. This reaction force acts on the vehicle, causing it to accelerate forward according to Newton's Third Law.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze real-world scenarios to identify action and reaction force pairs.
  2. Apply Newton's third law to solve problems involving interacting forces.
  3. Evaluate the balance of forces in various physical situations.
  4. Interpret and explain the implications of force interactions in everyday contexts.

Third Law of Motion Worksheet Cheat Sheet

  1. Understanding Newton's Third Law - For every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction, meaning forces always tag-team together. Think of giving a high-five - you feel the hand pushing back! The Physics Classroom
  2. Identifying Action - Reaction Pairs - Every push or pull comes with a partner force acting on a different object. When you push a wall, it pushes back on you with the same strength, even though it doesn't budge! The Physics Classroom
  3. Real-World Example - Rocket Launch - Rockets blast off by shooting gases downward, and those gases push the rocket upward just as hard. It's like blowing up a balloon and letting it fly around the room! GCF Global
  4. Real-World Example - Swimming - When you swim, you pull water backward with your arms and legs, and the water pushes you forward. This reaction force lets you glide through the pool like a dolphin! GCF Global
  5. Misconception Alert - Action and reaction forces don't cancel out because they act on different objects, so you can still move. That's why you can walk, ride a bike, or even skate without everything freezing in place! GeeksforGeeks
  6. Application in Engineering - Engineers design everything from bridges to car suspensions by balancing action - reaction forces for safety and stability. They make sure structures won't topple when forces push back! GeeksforGeeks
  7. Sports and Newton's Third Law - Athletes use action - reaction to boost performance: sprinters push off starting blocks and the blocks push them forward, while basketball players spring off the court to dunk! GeeksforGeeks
  8. Newton's Cradle Demonstration - That desk toy with swinging metal balls transfers force down the line, showing energy and momentum leaping through equal and opposite reactions. It's physics you can hear! Wikipedia
  9. Everyday Example - Walking - Each step you take pushes the ground backward, and the ground pushes you forward so you can keep moving. It's like a secret handshake between your feet and the Earth! GeeksforGeeks
  10. Everyday Example - Jumping - When you jump, you press down on the ground and the ground rockets you upward with the same force. It's why you can leap over puddles or onto a skateboard! EduForAll
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