Forces in Action: Newton's Third Law Explained

What is the reaction force when hitting a baseball with a bat?

a) The force on the ball against the bat

b) The force on the bat against the ground

c) The force on the ground against the bat

d) The force on the bat against the air

Answer:

In the scenario of hitting a baseball with a bat, when we label the force of the bat on the ball as the 'canon force', the reaction force according to Newton's Third Law would be the force of the ball on the bat.

Newton's Third Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that whenever an object exerts a force on another object, the second object exerts a force of equal magnitude but in the opposite direction.

When you swing a baseball bat and make contact with the ball, the force you exert on the ball is the action force. As a result, the ball exerts an equal and opposite reaction force on the bat. This is why you feel a recoil or vibration in the bat when you hit the ball.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option a) - The force on the ball against the bat. This reaction force is essential for understanding the dynamics of any interaction involving forces, such as hitting a baseball or any other object with a bat.

To deepen your understanding of Newton's Third Law and how it applies to various real-life scenarios, continue exploring the principles of action and reaction forces in physics.