Action-reaction forces do not cancel each other out because _____.
they are not equal
they act in opposite directions
they act on different objects
inertia prevents one object from moving
the answer is they act on different objects
Action-reaction forces do not cancel each other out because they act on different objects. According to Newton's Third Law of Motion, for every action, there is an equal but opposite reaction. This means that when one object exerts a force on another object, the second object exerts an equal and opposite force on the first object.
For example, if you push against a wall, you exert a force on the wall, and the wall exerts an equal force back on you. While these two forces are equal in magnitude, they act on different objects - you and the wall. As a result, they do not cancel each other out.
In terms of canceling forces, if two objects are in contact and exerting action-reaction forces on each other, these forces can still result in a net force acting on each object separately. This is because the forces may have different effects based on the objects' masses or other factors such as friction.
Therefore, the correct answer is: they act on different objects.