Question

In the examples given below, which of the Newton’s Law of Motion will apply? Justify your answer.

1. When a Swimmer pushes the water backwards.
2. When a cricket and tennis ball are thrown with the same force, the tennis ball moves with greater acceleration.

Answer 1

1. Newton’s Third Law: The water pushes the swimmer forward with equal and opposite force when the swimmer pushes it backward (action).
2. Newton’s Second Law (F = ma): The smaller mass (tennis ball) accelerates more than the heavier cricket ball when the same force is applied.