Question

As we know that Newton's third law states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. so, when we walk on the ground then we exert a force on the ground and ground exert frictional force on work feet and both forces are equal and opposite .so ,why we move forward?

Answer 1

Dear student,

It is right that both the action and reaction should be equal and opposite to each other. In the above case we move forward because the forces are acting on two different objects that is the ground and feet so they are unbalanced forces even if they are equal in magnitude. They will only cancel each other if they are balanced forces that act on same object. That is why Newton's third law leads to motion even when the forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.

Thanks and regards.