For every action, there is an equal

and opposite reaction.

 Whenever one object exerts a
force on a second object, the
second object exerts an equal and
opposite force on the first.
There are two forces resulting from this
interaction - a force on the chair and a
force on your body. These two forces
are called action and reaction forces.
Action Force: Swimmer’s hands and
feet push against the water.
Reaction Force: Water pushes back,
moving the swimmer forward.
If the forces are equal how can
the swimmer move forward ?
Even though the forces maybe equal, they
are not balanced. The forces are acting on
different objects. The swimmer, having
less mass than the pool of full water,
accelerates more than the water.
In case of the swimmer ,water pushes her
forward, overcoming the friction she
encounters. Thus, a net force or
unbalanced force acts on the swimmer
and a change in motion takes place.
Action Force: Bird pushes down on
the air with their wings.
Reaction Force: The air pushes bird’s
wings up and gives them lift.
The action force
is exerted by the
hands on the bar.

The reaction force

is exerted by bar
on the hands.
Action Force: The boat exerts a force on
the boy’s feet, moving him forward.
Reaction Force: The boy’s feet exert a
force on the boat sending it backward.