What does it mean when they say that action equals reaction?
This means that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction
It means that two objects exert equal forces on each other, but in opposite directions. This is true no matter what kind of forces you are talking about.
When it is said that "action equals reaction," it refers to Newton's third law of motion. This law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In other words, when an object exerts a force on another object, the second object exerts an equal and opposite force back on the first object.
To understand this concept, let's break it down with an example. Imagine you are standing on a skateboard that is resting on a smooth surface, and you push against a wall with your hand. The force you apply with your hand on the wall is the action. According to Newton's third law, there will be an equal and opposite reaction force. In this case, the reaction force is the wall pushing back on your hand.
The same principle applies when two objects interact with each other. For instance, if you push a book on a table, you exert a force (action) on the book, and the book exerts an equal and opposite force (reaction) on you. Both forces have the same magnitude but act in opposite directions.
Understanding that action equals reaction helps explain various phenomena, such as why we move backward even after jumping off a moving vehicle or why a rocket propels forward by expelling gas in the opposite direction.