UCSB Science Line
Sponge Spicules Nerve Cells Galaxy Abalone Shell Nickel Succinate X-ray Lens Lupine
UCSB Science Line
Home
How it Works
Ask a Question
Search Topics
Webcasts
Our Scientists
Science Links
Contact Information
According to Newton's Third law for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. On earth, if the air in a balloon is released the the force becomes unbalanced. The action is the air being released -going down- and the reaction is the ballon going up. Will Newton's third law still hold truth even if this experiment was done on the moon?
Question Date: 2006-11-22
Answer 1:

Newton's 3rd law will indeed hold if the experiment is done on the moon. The balloon will accelerate as a reaction to the escaping air, thus: the balloon exerts a force on the air when it is being released and, at the same time, the air exerts a reaction on the balloon. You can perform the following experiment (ask an adult for help): stand on a skating board (or put on a pair of skates) on a smooth, level surface.While standing still, throw a baseball in front of you. You will notice small recoil backwards (this is where an adult can help, so you don't fall down). You don't have to throw it hard; a gentle toss should do. When you throw the ball, you exert a force on it. This force is directed forward. At the same time, the ball exerts a reaction on your arm that pushes you backward. Notice the opposite directions between the force applied by your arm, and the reaction exerted by the ball. Next, try comparing the reaction when using a lighter ball and then a heavier ball. Have fun.


Click Here to return to the search form.

University of California, Santa Barbara Materials Research Laboratory National Science Foundation
This program is co-sponsored by the National Science Foundation and UCSB School-University Partnerships
Copyright © 2020 The Regents of the University of California,
All Rights Reserved.
UCSB Terms of Use