Question

What does Newton's third law explain about the collision between a moving car and a parked car?

a) The parked car moves in the opposite direction
b) The moving car stops immediately
c) Both cars experience equal and opposite forces
d) Only the moving car experiences a force

Answer 1

In a collision between a moving car and a parked car, according to Newton's third law, both cars experience equal and opposite forces. The moving car does not stop immediately, but the forces exerted on both cars are of equal magnitude.

Step-by-step explanation:

Explanation of Newton's Third Law in a Collision

Newton's third law of motion states "Whenever a first body exerts a force on a second body, the first body experiences a force that is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force that it exerts." Applying this to the scenario where a moving car collides with a parked car, we deduce that both cars experience equal and opposite forces upon impact. The parked car doesn't move in the opposite direction; it simply moves in the direction it was hit, but the forces involved are opposite in direction. The moving car does not stop immediately; it is subject to the force from the parked car which is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, potentially causing it to slow down or stop depending on the energy involved in the collision.