How Action and Reaction Forces Affect Our Daily Lives

Newton's Third Law of Motion tells us that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that in many situations we encounter every day, this rule helps us understand how things move and interact.

Everyday Examples of Action and Reaction Forces

1. Walking:

   • When you walk, your foot pushes down and back against the ground (this is the action). The ground pushes back up and forward (this is the reaction). Studies show that when we walk, we push with a force of about 600 to 700 Newtons.

2. Sitting on a Chair:

   • When you sit down, your body pushes down on the chair (action). In response, the chair pushes back up with the same force (reaction). For an average adult, this force can range from 600 to 800 Newtons, depending on their weight.

3. Swimming:

   • Swimmers push water backwards with their arms (action). The water then pushes them forward (reaction). Competitive swimmers can push with about 1,000 Newtons, helping them move quickly through the water.

4. Driving a Car:

   • When a car's tires push backward on the road (action), the road pushes the tires forward (reaction). This is how cars speed up. A normal car can weigh around 1,500 kg, which means it pushes down with about 14,700 Newtons.

5. Rocket Launch:

   • Rockets use this same principle. When they blast out gas downward (action), the rocket gets pushed upward (reaction). Big rockets, like the Space Shuttle, need over 12,000,000 Newtons of thrust to lift off!

Impact on Technology and Engineering

• Construction:

  • Engineers need to understand action and reaction forces when they build things. For example, a building has to handle the weight pressing down due to gravity and the push from the ground. A typical skyscraper is designed to support about 3,000 to 5,000 pounds for every square foot.

• Sports Equipment:

  • In sports, knowing about these forces can help athletes perform better. For example, high jumpers use their legs to push against the ground, which helps them jump higher—sometimes over 2.4 meters!

Conclusion

Learning about action and reaction forces helps us understand not just physics, but also how these forces play a big role in our everyday lives, technology, and many fields. From simple activities like walking to amazing engineering projects, Newton's Third Law helps us understand how movement and forces work together in the world around us.