Nina and Jon's Ice Skating Adventure

What force does Nina experience when Jon pushes her away while skating?

A. Nina experiences a force equal to f.
B. Nina experiences a force equal to f/2.

Answer:

If the system is closed, Nina will experience only a force equal to F exerted by Jon.

According to Newton's third law of motion, action and reaction is equal and opposite. That is the force applied to a stationary object is equal to the reaction exerted by the stationary object.

Applying this law, the force Jon applied on Nina is equal to the reaction Nina exerts on Jon.

  • If Jon exerts a force of F magnitude on Nina, consequently, Nina will experience the force of equal magnitude and exert equal reaction in the opposite direction towards Jon.
  • Also, if the system is closed, no additional force will be experienced by Nina, except the force applied by Jon.

Thus, assuming the system is closed, Nina will experience only a force equal to F exerted by Jon.

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