When autumn comes, many trees lose their leaves. At the moment that a leaf finally begins to fall to the ground, what is the reaction force to the force of gravity on the leaf?

A. The tree pulling back on the leaf
B. Air resistance
C. The force of the ground acting on the leaf
D. The force of the leaf acting on the earth
E. The force of the leaf acting on the air around it

Question

When autumn comes, many trees lose their leaves. At the moment that a leaf finally begins to fall to the ground, what is the reaction force to the force of gravity on the leaf?

A.	The tree pulling back on the leaf
B.	Air resistance
C.	The force of the ground acting on the leaf
D.	The force of the leaf acting on the earth
E.	The force of the leaf acting on the air around it

anonymous · Answer

Note: gravity works both ways. The earth pulls the leaf, and the leaf pulls the earth.
Do you need further help?

anonymous · Answer

So would that mean that the force of the leaf is acting on the earth?

anonymous · Answer

Yup! The reaction force is applied by the leaf, to the earth. :)