[Physics] Given Newton’s Third Law, how can an inanimate object create a force

forcesnewtonian-mechanics

Newton's Third Law states that

Whenever any force is exerted by a body#1 on any other body#2, another force which is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction is exerted on body#1 by body#2.

In theory, suppose a boy is pushing a rock heavier than him on ice. Due to the relative lack of friction, the boy would probably be pushed back more than the rock was pushed forward. How is this possible? How can an inanimate object create a force?

Best Answer

How can an inanimate object create a force?

If you were to trip on a banana peel and slam your face into the ground, it would hurt a lot.

Brought to you by the Earth: the inanimate object that just can't let it go.

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