Example: Substance/device A attracts substance/device B. However, A remains stationary and unaffected while B is attracted by A and therefore moves towards A. In the meantime A is not anchored or immobilised in any manner.
2006-12-27 05:14:01 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
This is a very good question. Newton's third law is a statement of us not observing this, among other things. But I do not know if in the quantum realm this is possible or if the equivalent of the 3rd law holds there too.
but as john says, there is an all too familiar example outside physics!
2006-12-27 06:16:33 · answer #1 · answered by Venkat 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's physically impossible. A force can't be said to come from one object to another, it's mutually between the two. You can only think of the force as relative between the two objects.
I know that isn't a very good question but it's a hard concept to describe. Think of this: if it WAS possible and the object WAS "stationary", it would still be hurtling through space at incredible speed as the universe expands and Earth orbits the Sun etc. So there isn't any absolute "stationary" to refer to.
2006-12-27 13:21:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, a perpetual motion machine has some kind of doohicky inside operating on your non-mutual attraction principle. If you see one around, let me know, I will pay good money for it. I saw this one on ebay and I went to bid on it but the auction was over before I could enter my password and bid, DANG IT ALL!
2006-12-28 03:08:47 · answer #3 · answered by Brendan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Newton's third law of motion and conservation of momentum prohibit this from being possible. However, scientific theories have been known to turn out wrong, from time to time.
2006-12-27 13:20:11 · answer #4 · answered by Tony O 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry but your question indicates a lack of comprehension of the physical universe. How can "A" attract "B" without the converse being true? You seem to confuse attraction with movement. Movement is governed by constraints. There can be attraction without movement. Back to school please.
2006-12-27 13:22:00 · answer #5 · answered by Peter T 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No! In the physical world, at least, attraction is mutual!
2006-12-28 01:43:01 · answer #6 · answered by Martin 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm attracted to pretty women, but they ain't (usually) attracted to me.
2006-12-27 13:38:10 · answer #7 · answered by john S 1 · 7⤊ 1⤋
magetic substance or one elctronic receptor
2006-12-27 13:21:52 · answer #8 · answered by ganesh n 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I saw somewhere that scientists got water to flow uphill...if that helps? :-\
2006-12-27 20:34:51 · answer #9 · answered by Dick P 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋