Question

Action and reaction forces are equal and opposite but they do not cancel each other. Why?

Answer 1

1. Newton's third law of motion states that to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction whereas action and reaction act on different objects.
2. Action and reaction occur in pairs only.
3. Example:- The tabletop and the block are two different objects on which action and reaction act simultaneously.
4. The magnitude of the force exerted by the block on the tabletop is equal in magnitude to the force exerted by the tabletop on the block. But they are opposite in direction.
5. Action and reaction cannot cancel each other because they act on different objects.