Newton's 3rd Law of Motion | Action and Reaction Forces with Examples | Physics Laws | Dr. Binocs
What is Newton's Third Law of Motion?
Introduction to Newton's Laws
- The video begins with a playful introduction, hinting at the concept of physics through an engaging scenario involving a cat and a ball.
- It emphasizes the importance of understanding Newton's first two laws before diving into the third law, suggesting viewers check links in the description for more information.
Understanding Newton's Third Law
- Newton's third law states that "for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction," which is fundamental in physics.
- Action and reaction forces are always paired; they are equal in strength but act in opposite directions. For example, when sitting on a chair, your body exerts a downward force while the chair pushes back up equally.
Types of Forces
- Forces can be categorized into two main types: contact forces (like friction) and non-contact forces (like gravity).
- An example illustrates this: when a bird flaps its wings, it pushes air down (action), and the air pushes back up (reaction), allowing it to fly.
Mass and Acceleration
- The way objects react to forces depends on their mass and acceleration. A bullet shot from a gun demonstrates this principle; while both exert forces on each other, their differing masses result in different accelerations.
- Another example involves jumping from a small boat onto shore. Pushing against the boat propels you forward while it drifts backward; however, pushing against a larger ship results in minimal movement due to its greater mass.
Historical Context
- Trivia highlights that Isaac Newton first articulated these three laws of motion in his 1687 work "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy."