Question

After the student pushes on the wall, the student moves to the right. Based upon the forces you selected as present above, which explanation explains the motion of the student.

A) The motion of the student is best explained by Newton's Third Law.
B) The motion of the student is best explained by Newton's First Law.
C) The motion of the student is best explained by Newton's Second Law.

Answer 1

The student's motion to the right after pushing the wall is explained by Newton's Third Law, where the wall pushes back with an equal and opposite force.

Step-by-step explanation:

The motion of the student moving to the right after he pushes on the wall can be best explained by Newton's Third Law of Motion. This law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When the student pushes against the wall, the wall exerts an equal and opposite force on the student, causing the student to move in the opposite direction of the push. This is also exemplified in scenarios such as a swimmer pushing off from the side of a pool; the swimmer pushes against the pool wall and the wall pushes back, resulting in the swimmer's acceleration in the opposite direction.