This may be a stupid question. I am trying to understand Newtons third law. I kn

Question

This may be a stupid question. I am trying to understand Newtons third law. I know the words action reaction force but what is it exactually? When a fish swims through water the fish has a equal and opposite force from the water. The water is pulling one way and the fish is pulling the opposite direction. Is it the opposite forces that cause the fish to accelerate or is it the mass of the fish why is the fish able to move. What cause the fish to overcome the equal and opposite forces being put on it. Is mass even a factor? I can just trying to understand Newton's third law. 

Explanation / Answer

A variety of action-reaction force pairs are evident innature. Consider the propulsion of a fish through the water. A fishuses its fins to push water backwards. But a push on the water willonly serve to accelerate the water. Since forces result from mutualinteractions, the water must also be pushing the fish forwards,propelling the fish through the water. The size of the force on thewater equals the size of the force on the fish; the direction ofthe force on the water (backwards) is opposite the direction of theforce on the fish (forwards). For every action, there is an equal(in size) and opposite (in direction) reaction force.Action-reaction force pairs make it possible for fish toswim. http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/GBSSCI/PHYS/CLASS/newtlaws/u2l4a.html HOPE THAT HELPS

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.