Question

which description best identifies the action-reaction pair between the bird and the fence post? f action: the force of the bird on the wires reaction: the force of the wires on the fence post g action: the force of the wires on the fence post reaction: the force of the fence post on the bird h action: the force of the fence post on the bird reaction: the force of the bird on the wires j action: the force of the bird on the fence post reaction: the force of the fence post on the bird

Explanation:

To solve this, we use Newton's Third Law: for every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction, acting on two different objects.

Analyzing each option:

• Option F: Action (bird on wires) and Reaction (wires on fence post) – different object pairs (bird-wires vs. wires-fence post), not an action - reaction pair.
• Option G: Action (wires on fence post) and Reaction (wires on fence post) – same force on the same object, invalid.
• Option H: Action (fence post on bird) and Reaction (fence post on bird) – same force on the same object, invalid.
• Option J: Action (bird on fence post) and Reaction (fence post on bird) – The bird exerts a force on the fence post (action), and the fence post exerts an equal - opposite force on the bird (reaction), satisfying Newton’s Third Law (different objects, equal magnitude, opposite direction).

Answer:

J. Action: The force of the bird on the fence post; Reaction: The force of the fence post on the bird