Which situation is an example of Newton’s third law of motion?
A ball in a vacuum container moves in a straight line at a constant velocity.
A ball in a vacuum container accelerates when kicked with a great amount of force.
A person riding in a forward-moving car continues to move forward when the car stops suddenly.
A person in a canoe moves the paddle backward in the water, and the canoe moves forward in the water.
The correct option that illustrates Newton's third law of motion is: "A person in a canoe moves the paddle backward in the water, and the canoe moves forward in the water."
To understand why this situation is an example of Newton's third law of motion, we first need to know what the third law states. Newton's third law of motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
In the given situation, when a person moves the paddle backward in the water, they are applying a force on the water in one direction. According to Newton's third law, the water, in turn, exerts an equal and opposite force on the paddle. This force propels the canoe forward in the water.
So, when the person moves the paddle backward, the action force is exerted by the paddle on the water, and the reaction force is exerted by the water on the paddle, causing the canoe to move forward. This situation demonstrates the principle of equal and opposite forces, as described by Newton's third law of motion.