Answer to Question #56188 in Physics for cyra

Question

if for every force there is an equal and opposite reaction force, then all forces in nature come in equal and opposite pairs, and are there for balanced. thus,since there can never be such a thing as an unbalanced force, how can any object ever accelerate?

Answer 1

For every force there is an equal and opposite reaction force - yes that is correct, but important note is that force and its opposite which is mentioned here are applied to different bodies. The reaction force acts on the cause of the force, not on body itself. So there are plenty unbalanced forces.