Name:_______________________________________________ Date:_________________
Science
Newton’s Third Law Answer Key
Directions: Follow the directions below to complete the activity.
I.
Introduction
Newton’s third law of motion states that for every action there is an equal
and opposite reaction. Look at the well-known scene of Isaac Newton
sitting below an apple tree. What action and reaction occurs?
One action that you might observe is the apple hitting Newton’s head; and
one reaction that you might observe is the apple bouncing off of his head.
I.
Your Task
You will identify the action and reaction pairs in the images below.
II.
Newton’s Third Law of Motion: Action and Reaction
Look at the images below that show daily phenomena. Identify the action force and the reaction
force in each image. In the final sections of the table, create your own examples.
Phenomena
Action
Reaction
The boy is pushing off of
the ground with his legs.
The ground is pushing back
on the boy’s legs, allowing
the boy the jump.
The horse is pulling
the buggy forward.
The cart is pulling on the horse
in the opposite direction.
The bird’s wings are
pushing down on the air.
The air is pushing up on
the bird’s wings.
Copyright 2019 © Lincoln Learning Solutions. All rights reserved.
Name:_______________________________________________ Date:_________________
Science
Newton’s Third Law Answer Key
Directions: Follow the directions below to complete the activity.
The hammer is hitting
the head of the nail.
The nail is moving forward while
the hammer moves backward.
The magnet is moving
toward the refrigerator.
The refrigerator door is
being attracted to the magnet
through magnetic force,
holding the paper in place.
The fuel of the rocket is
released through its thrusters
in a downward direction.
The rocket is propelled in an
upward direction and
into the sky.
Your Examples
Paste or draw your example here.
You should have drawn an example of
an action-reaction pair.
Answers will vary
depending on the
student’s observations.
This column should
describe an action
force.
Copyright 2019 © Lincoln Learning Solutions. All rights reserved.
Answers will vary
depending on the
student’s observations.
This column should
describe a reaction
force.
Name:_______________________________________________ Date:_________________
Science
Newton’s Third Law Answer Key
Directions: Follow the directions below to complete the activity.
Paste or draw your example here.
You should have drawn an example of
an action-reaction pair.
Answers will vary
depending on the
student’s observations.
This column should
describe an action
force.
Answers will vary
depending on the
student’s observations.
This column should
describe a reaction
force.
Answers will vary
depending on the
student’s observations.
This column should
describe an action
force.
Answers will vary
depending on the
student’s observations.
This column should
describe a reaction
force.
Paste or draw your example here.
You should have drawn an example of
an action-reaction pair.
Challenge Accepted: A Twist on the Third Law of Motion
Read through the scenario below. Then, complete the following activity.
Luke and a friend are sitting at his house. Luke’s friend dares him to make a can spin without
using his hands.
“Challenge accepted,” Luke responds as he begins to brainstorm ideas.
Before reading through the comic strip below, think of some of the ways that Luke might be able to
accomplish this task.
Copyright 2019 © Lincoln Learning Solutions. All rights reserved.
Name:_______________________________________________ Date:_________________
Science
Newton’s Third Law Answer Key
Directions: Follow the directions below to complete the activity.
Brainstorm with Luke
Answers will vary. Different brainstorming strategies can be used, such as forming lists, mind mapping,
and concept maps. This does not have to be formal and should be a quick way to begin thinking of
possibilities to move the can without your hands.
Luke takes a soda can and begins to
analyze it. He is confident that he can
make it spin with a little ingenuity
and “science magic.” To begin, he
uses a nail to puncture three holes
along the bottom rim of the can.
Luke ties a string to the top of the
can and submerges the can in a
bucket of water. This fills the can
with water.
Luke lifts straight up on the
string, pulling the can out of the
bucket of water. The can begins
to spin as it is lifted out of the
water.
Use Newton’s first, second, and third laws of motion to explain what is happening in the comic strip.
This experiment demonstrates Newton’s first law of motion because the can begins to move due to the
force of the water acting on the can. It demonstrates Newton’s second law because the can is rotating
slowly. The can would rotate faster if I put more holes in the can. This would allow more water to escape,
creating a greater force. It also demonstrates Newton’s third law because the can rotates in the opposite
direction to the direction the water coming out of the can, allowing it to spin.
Extension: With the help of an adult, try the spinning can trick on your own. It is best done outdoors.
Copyright 2019 © Lincoln Learning Solutions. All rights reserved.