If every object could give an equal and opposite force to what we apply then why do the objects exhibit translatory and rotational motion?

Question

If I push a block on a frictionless surface with enough force, it begins to move. Shouldn't it be standing still if it exerts an equal force on me as per 3rd law?

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Oct 08 '18 at 01:05

Exactly. The block exerts a force on you, not on itself. You apply a force on the block. The block applies the same force on you. Because you have feet, your muscles act so that you do not move back (of course not on a frictionless surface :P). The block has no such internal forces to counter your push. It can have a little resistance if the surface has friction.

If every object could give an equal and opposite force to what we apply then why do the objects exhibit translatory and rotational motion?

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