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Explain how Newton's third law applies to a rifle shooting a bullet. Include acceleration and mass in your explanation.

Answer :

Final answer:

Newton's third law of motion explains the recoil of a rifle when firing a bullet, as there is an equal and opposite reaction force, causing the rifle to kick back. The acceleration of the bullet and rifle are influenced by their respective masses in accordance with Newton's second law, leading to a high-speed bullet and a slower recoil of the rifle.

Explanation:

Newton's third law of motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This law applies to a rifle shooting a bullet as follows: when the trigger is pulled and the gunpowder ignites, it creates a high-pressure explosion that propels the bullet forward. Simultaneously, an equal and opposite force is exerted on the rifle, causing it to recoil or kick backward.

The acceleration of the bullet and rifle is dictated by Newton's second law of motion, which states that acceleration is the result of the net force acting on an object divided by the object's mass (a = F/m). While the bullet experiences high acceleration due to its low mass, the rifle, which has a much higher mass, experiences much less acceleration. However, the force exerted on both the bullet and the rifle is the same due to Newton's third law.

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