Question

According to Newton's Third Law, what is the equal and opposite force to the downward force of gravity pulling on a man standing on the beach?
A) the man pulling upward on the earth

B) the force of friction holding the man still

C) the pull of the sun keeping the earth in orbit

D) the surrounding air pressure keeping the man in equilibrium

Answer 1

Answer: Option (A) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

Newton's third law states that when one body exerts a force on a second body, the second body simultaneously exerts a force equal in magnitude and opposite in direction on the first body.

In short we can say that every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

For example, when we hit a wooden table hardly with our hands then we are applying a force on the table and on the other hand table is applying a force in the opposite direction on our hand due to which we get hurt.

Therefore, when force of gravity pulls the man in downward direction then man pulling upward on the earth is applying a force in opposite direction of gravitational pull.