Question

Which of the following statements BEST describes ground reaction force?

A. When force is applied to an object, the object will respond with an equal and opposite force.
B. When force is applied to an object, the object will respond with a smaller and opposite force.
C. When force is applied to an object, the object will respond with varying force.
D. When force is applied to an object, the object will not respond.

Answer 1

Ground reaction force is the equal and opposite force exerted by the ground on an object when force is applied to the object by pushing against the ground.

Step-by-step explanation:

Ground reaction force is the force exerted by the ground on an object when the object pushes against it. According to Newton's third law of motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. So when force is applied to an object by pushing against the ground, the ground responds with an equal and opposite force.

For example, when a person jumps, the force they exert on the ground pushes them upward, and in response, the ground exerts an equal force that propels the person upward.

This means that option A, 'When force is applied to an object, the object will respond with an equal and opposite force,' is the best description of ground reaction force.