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Let's first imagine the man pushing on a car with the handbrake on. Obviously, the car does not move. The man is applying a force F (let us call it F1). The static friction of the brakes on the car are applying a force we shall call F2.

Now, we know from Newton's laws that F = mass x acceleration (F = ma). The car is not accelerating, so F = 0. That is the net force of the man/car system is zero. So, F1 + F2 = 0, or if you prefer, F1 = -F2.

In this case, the force of the man's feet on the ground cannot overcome the force of the brakes on the wheels. So the car does not move.

Now, what happens if we release the handbrake? If enough force is applied to overcome the friction of the wheels and axles etc, the car will accelerate (a).

The man's feet exert a force on the ground and the ground exerts an equal and opposite for on the man's feet. (Newton's 3rd law)

The friction of the wheels exerts a force on the ground and the ground exerts an equal and opposite force on the wheels. (Newton's 3rd law)

The man exerts a force on the car... and the car exerts an equal and opposite force on the man (3rd law)

But, the force of the man's feet on the ground is greater than the opposing force of the wheel's friction on the ground. Therefore, there is a net force and the "man + car" system accelerates. Note that Newton's 3rd law applies to each pair of objects (car/ground), (car/man), (man/ground) seperately.

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11y ago
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8mo ago

The reaction force to a man pushing a car is the force exerted by the car back onto the man in the opposite direction. This reaction force allows the car to move forward in response to the man's push.

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11y ago

It is the friction between the wheels of a car and the road on which the car is travelling which enables the car to move forward. If the road is too slippery (which can happen if it is covered in ice) the wheels would just spin in place, without pushing the car forward.

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12y ago

action force

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Q: What is the reaction force of a man pushing a car?
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