It states that “To every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”.
When two objects interact with each other, the force exerted by the first object on the second is referred to as action. The reaction force is the force exerted by the second body on the first body. Therefore, the action and reaction are opposite and equal in magnitude.
An illustrative figure with examples based on Newton's third law is given below.
Some examples of Newton's third law are listed below.
Firing of a bullet: When a bullet is shot from a gun, the gun puts a force on the bullet that propels it forward. In the backward direction, the bullet exerts an equal force on the rifle.
A book lying on a table: The weight of the books is acting in the downward direction on the table (action). While the reaction acts in the upward direction on the books.
During swimming, a swimmer moves ahead. The water pushes back on the swimmer as the swimmer pushes against it.
