Two bodies A and B collide (two different geometric situations are shown). Choose the correct statement about the forces they exert on each other.

They exert equal and opposite forces on each other in case (a) but not in case (b).
They exert equal and opposite forces on each other in case (b) but not in case (a).
They exert equal and opposite forces on each other in both (a) and (b).
The forces are equal and opposite in (a), but in (b) only the force components parallel to the velocities are equal.

Correct answer: They exert equal and opposite forces on each other in both (a) and (b).

Solution

By Newton's third law, the force A exerts on B is always equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force B exerts on A, irrespective of the collision geometry. So this holds in both (a) and (b).

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