Question

A ball is dropped from a person's hand and falls to Earth. Identify an action-reaction pair, and compare the forces exerted by each object.

Option 1: Identify the action-reaction pair when a ball is dropped and analyze the forces involved.
Option 2: Explain the action-reaction pair in a ball's fall to Earth and compare the forces.
Option 3: Recognize the action-reaction pair in a falling ball scenario and evaluate the force exerted.
Option 4: Describe the action-reaction relationship in a ball's descent and assess the forces at play.

Answer 1

When a ball is dropped, an action-reaction pair is formed between the ball and Earth. The forces exerted by each object are equal and opposite according to Newton's third law of motion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The action-reaction pair in the scenario of a ball being dropped is as follows:

1. Action: Ball exerting a force on Earth as it falls
2. Reaction: Earth exerting a force on the ball, pulling it towards the center of the Earth

The forces exerted by each object are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. This is known as Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

For example, when the ball is dropped, the Earth pulls the ball downward with the force of gravity, causing it to accelerate towards the ground. At the same time, the ball also exerts an equal and opposite force on the Earth, but due to the Earth's large mass, the resulting acceleration is negligible.