When two students standing on frictionless skates push each other apart
PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
When two students standing on frictionless skates push each other apart, which one of the following statements about the forces involved is correct?
(a) The forces cancel on each student individually, so neither experiences any net force and they remain stationary.
(b) The lighter student exerts a larger force because he accelerates more.
(c) Each student exerts an equal force on the other at the same time.
(d) The action force is applied first by the heavier student, and only afterward does the lighter student produce the reaction force.