Question

a hammer strikes a nail. which statement best applies newtons laws to this situation? hammer exerts force on nail, nail exerts equal and opposite force on hammer nail accelerates without a force nail pushes hammer down, hammer pushes nothing the hammer only acts under first law

Explanation:

Newton's third - law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When a hammer strikes a nail, the hammer exerts a force on the nail, and the nail exerts an equal and opposite force on the hammer. An object cannot accelerate without a force (contradicting the second option). The third option is incorrect as the hammer also exerts a force. And the situation involves more than just the first law as there is an interaction of forces.

Answer:

Hammer exerts force on nail, nail exerts equal and opposite force on hammer