Question

Krista is playing tennis at the park. When the tennis ball flies toward her, Krista hits the ball with her racket, which causes the ball to fly in the opposite direction. According to Newton's third law of motion, which of the following is true?A. When the racket hits the tennis ball with a force, the ball does not apply any reaction force to the racket.
B. When the racket hits the tennis ball with a force, the tennis ball applies an equal but opposite force to the racket.
C. When the racket hits the tennis ball with a force, the ball applies a much weaker force in the opposite direction of the racket's force.
D. When the racket hits the tennis ball with a force, the ball applies an equal force in the same direction as the racket's force.

Answer 1

Answer:

B. When the racket hits the tennis ball with a force, the tennis ball applies an equal but opposite force to the racket.

Explanation:

According to the Newton's third law of motion every action has equal and opposite reaction. So, when the force is applied by the racket on the ball then the ball also applies an equal intensity of force in the opposite direction on the racket. It is just that the the force on the racket is absorbed by the player holding it.