Answer to Question #144223 in Mechanics | Relativity for Mikkos Joshua Garcia

Question

1. When you walk along a floor, what pushes you along?
2. When swimming, you push the water backward – call this action. What is the reaction?

Answer 1

1. When we walk on floor, We exert force on the ground. According to Newton's third law , "Every action has equal and opposite reaction". Thus a reaction force is exerted by the floor,back on our foot, which gives us thrust to move.

Friction also plays an important role when a person walks. Lack of friction on the ground could cause the person to slip or loose control of the motion.

2. Swimming is also by Newton's third law. If our action of pushing the water backward is action. Then the force exerted back on our hands by the water by Newton's third law,is the reaction.