Newtons Third Law Explained.

Newton’s Third Law is one of the best know laws of physics probably because it is given in such a short statement. It states that:

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction:

Weight on table action and reaction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skaters push each other apart and so they both move backwards.

Action and reaction

 

 

 

 

A gun is fired, the bullet goes fast in one direction, the more massive gun kicks back. It is much slower because its mass is much greater

Gun recoil

 

 

 

 

A rocket or jet works by blasting gas in one direction which forces the vehicle in the opposite direction

Rocket action and reaction

 

 

 

 

 

Newton's Third law is very important because it is the basis of the very practical and useful Law of conservation of momentum. Notes here. Download a pdf on all the notes for Newton's Laws here  Newton's Laws of Motion

Related pages are Newton's First Law

Newton's second Law

Law of Momentum

Impulse and Momentum