An Physics Investigatory project

NAME:C.DHARSHAN
CLASS:XII-A
PROJECT:NEWTON’S THIRD LAW OF MOTION
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 Abstract
A variety of action-reaction force pairs are
evident in nature. Consider the propulsion of a
fish through the water. A fish uses its fins to
push water backwards. But a push on the water
will only serve to accelerate the water. Since
forces result from mutual interactions, the water
must also be pushing the fish forwards,
propelling the fish through the water. The size of
the force on the water equals the size of the
force on the fish; the direction of the force on the
water (backwards) is opposite the direction of
the force on the fish (forwards). For every action,
there is an equal (in size) and opposite (in
direction) reaction force. Action-reaction force
pairs make it possible for fish to swim.

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Aim:
To study the Third Law of Motion using two
spring balances

Theory:
Newton’s Third Law of Motion states: ‘To
every action there is an equal and opposite
reaction’.
It must be remembered that action and
reaction always act on different objects. The
Third Law of Motion indicates that when one
object exerts a force on another object, the
second object instantaneously exerts a
force back on the first object. These two
forces are always equal in magnitude, but
opposite in direction.
These forces act on different objects and so
they do not cancel each other. Thus,
Newton’s Third Law of Motion describes the

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relationship between the forces of
interaction between two objects.
Whenever two bodies interact with each
other, the force exerted by the first body on
the second is called action. The force
exerted by the second body on the first
body is called reaction. The action and
reaction are equal and opposite.
For example, when we placed a wooden
block on the ground, this block exerts a
force equal to its weight, W = mg acting
downwards to the ground. This is the action
force. The ground exerts an equal and
opposite force W’ = mg on the block in the
upward direction. This is the reaction force.

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 Applications of Newton’s Third
Law of Motion
1.A gun recoils when a bullet is fired from it:
When a bullet is fired from a gun, the gun exerts
a force on the bullet in the forward direction.
This is the action force. The bullet also exerts an
equal force on the gun in the backward direction.
This is the reaction force. Due to the large mass
of the gun it moves only a little distance
backward by giving a jerk at the shoulder of the
gunman. The backward movement of the gun is
called the recoil of the gun.

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2.A man walking on the ground

3.Rowing a boat

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4.A person is moving forward during
swimming

5.Rocket propulsion

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Procedure:
1. Take two similar spring balances of
different ranges, say A and B.
2. Note the least count of the spring
balances.
3. Attach the ring of spring balance A on a
hook fixed in the wall and the spring
balance B is attached to the hook of spring
balance A.
4. Hold the spring balances exactly
horizontal to the table.
5. Pull the ring of spring balance B gently.
6. Observe and note the reading of both the
spring balances.Repeat the experiment by
applying different forces.

Observations:
1. Least count of the spring balance = value
of 1 small division

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2. Least count of the spring balance
A=………N
3. Least count of the spring balance B
=…………………N

Result:
The readings on both the balances are the
same in each case. Thus action and
reaction forces are equal and opposite and
act on two different bodies

Precautions:
1. Spring balance of different least count
should be taken.

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2. The spring balance should be brought in
elastic mode before doing the experiment.
3. The second spring balance should not be
pulled beyond its elastic limit.
4. The reading of the spring balance should
be taken without any parallax error.

References
Books
• Manual of Secondary Science Kit for
Classes IX and X - Published by NCERT
• Science textbook for class IX – Published
by National Council of Educational
Research and Training, New Delhi
Websites
•
http://epathshala.nic.in/wp-content/doc/book

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