Question

Why does a canoe move forward when the canoeist pushes water backwards with their paddle and why does it move faster when they push harder?

Answer 1

When the canoeist applies a backward force on the water using the paddle, the water simultaneously exerts an equal and opposite force on the paddle in the forward direction. This forward reaction force moves the canoe ahead, illustrating Newton’s Third Law of Motion.

When the canoeist increases the force of pushing, the water also applies a greater opposing force on the paddle, resulting in a higher acceleration of the canoe and a faster increase in its velocity.