Answer to Question #126736 in Classical Mechanics for Ashley

Question #126736

If the forces between interacting bodies are equal, opposite and collinear, how is it that bodies are able to be accelerated if it these forces cancel each other out?
A. None
B. The masses of the two bodies could be different and this difference causes acceleration.
C. The two forces are acting on different bodies; to analyze acceleration, we need to look at the forces acting only on one body.
D. In real life, the forces are not exactly equal and this difference causes acceleration.

Expert's answer

Answer C. The two forces are acting on different bodies; to analyze acceleration, we need to look at the forces acting only on one body.