This is perhaps the oldest and most famous "brain twister" in classical physics. Which is correct?
a) If action always equals reaction, a horse cannot pull a buggy because the action of the horse on the buggy is exactly cancelled by the reaction of the buggy on the horse. The buggy pulls backward on the horse just as hard as the horse pulls forward on the buggy, so they cannot move.
b) The horse pulls forward slightly harder on the buggy than the buggy pulls backward on the horse, so they move forward.
c) The horse pulls before the bugy has time to react so they move forward.
d) The horse can pull the buggy forward only if the horse weighs more than the buggy.
e) The force on the buggy is as strong as the force on the horse, but the horse is joined to the earth by its flat hoofs, while the buggy is free to roll on its round wheels.
2007-07-02
18:05:17
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