Question

A large semi-truck, with mass 31x crashes into a small sedan with mass x . If the semi-truck exerts a force F on the sedan, what force will the sedan exert on the semi-truck

Answer 1

Force Exerted by Sedan on Truck = - F

Step-by-step explanation:

This question can easily be solved by using Newton's Third Law of Motion. Newton's Third Law of Motion clearly states that for every action force there exists an equal in magnitude reaction force. However, the direction of the reaction force is opposite to the direction of the action force. Mathematically,

Action Force = - Reaction Force

Hence, we have here:

Force Exerted by Semi Truck on Sedan = F

So, from Newton's Third Law of motion:

Force Exerted by Sedan on Truck = - Force Exerted by Semi Truck on Sedan

Force Exerted by Sedan on Truck = - F