Question

A ball falls freely towards the Earth. If the action force is the Earth pulling down on the ball, then identify which of the following best describe the reaction force:

• A. the ball pulling up on the Earth
• B. air resistance acting on the ball.
• C. the ball striking the Earth when it lands.
• D. the inertia of the ball
• E. there is no reaction force in this case.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

the ball pulling up on the Earth

The earth is pulling the ball down during its motion.

According to Newton's 3rd law of motion, every action has equal and opposite reaction.

Thus the ball is also pulling the earth in the upward direction.