Question

Kent Swimm (who is taking physics for the second year in a row, and not because he likes it) has

rowed his boat to within three feet of the dock. In an effort to save a little time, he decides that he
will simply jump off his boat onto the dock, turn around and then tie down his boat. Explain to
Kent why this would not be too wise an idea.

Answer 1

The boat moves away from the dock, he won't be able to grab the line

Step-by-step explanation:

When he jumps, he applies a force to the boat and the boat exerts a force equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force he applied. Because the friction is very low between the bottom of the boat and the water, the boat moves away from the dock. He won't be able to lean over and grab the line. This is Newton's 3rd Law of Motion.