Question

Robert decides it would be fun to jump off of the back of his canoe while fishing in the lake one day. After he jumps out of the canoe, he notices that the canoe is no longer in the same place from where he jumped. Which statement BEST explains why this occurred? A) An object at rest stays at rest. Reactivate B) An object in motion stays in motion. C) For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. D) The acceleration of an object is determined by the weight of the object and the force applied to it.

Answer 1

C would be the most common answer...

BUT D would give you the BEST EXPLANATION as requested in the question.

Answer 2

C) For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

The action of Robert pushing away from the canoe caused the equal opposite reaction of the canoe pushing away from Robert.