Physics 1
Dynamics Notes
Newton's Third Law


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Introduction

Newton's First Law tells you what happens to an object if the net force on it is zero. Newton's Second Law tells you what happens to an object if the net force on it is not zero. What could Newton's Third Law possibly tell you?

In a sense, Newton's First and Second Laws tell you what forces do. Newton's Third Law tells you what forces are.

Newton's Third Law

Newton's Third Law is often stated:

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.


This statement is correct, but terse and confusing. You need to understand that it means:


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last update November 10 , 2007 by Jerry L. Stanbrough