Question

Newton’s third law:
(A) defines the force qualitatively
(B) defines the force quantitatively
(C) explains the way force acts on a body
(D) gives the direction of force

Answer 1

Hint The Newton’s third law of motion defines the action of the force on a body. It states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. So it can be used to explain the way that a force acts on a body.

Complete Step by Step Solution: Newton's third law of motion states that or every action in nature there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that when one body exerts a force on a second body, then this second body also simultaneously exerts a force that is equal in magnitude but is opposite in the direction to the force that is applied by the first body.
These action and reaction forces are simultaneous. So it does not matter which of them we consider as the action that causes the reaction in the other. Both of these forces are of the same time and exist as a part of a single interaction. So neither of these forces can exist without the other.
So from the above explanation we can see that Newton's third law explains the way that a force acts on a body.

Therefore, the option C is the correct answer.

NoteA few common examples of Newton's third law in our everyday life are, when we walk on the floor, we push against the floor in order to move forward and the floor pushes us back with equal and opposite force. Similarly in the case of swimming, a person pushes the water backward with their arms and the water pushes the person forward.