Question

A bug hits the windshield of a car. Considering Newtons Third Law of action-reaction, which is the greater force?
a)force of bug on car b)force of car on bug c)both the same

Answer 1

What does Newton's third law state?

Answer 2

The law states that with every action comes an equal and opposite reaction. When you think about this statement, it seems that you have forgotten to register a key word that is 'EQUAL' . Think about this, when you push on a wall with some force, if the wall exerts a greater force back at your hand then your hand will get pushed away which is 'so far' not possible, if it were however, we would have solved our energy crisis. By now it should be obvious that they both exert the same force one each other, if that is not clear to you please clarify any doubts that you have with me.

Answer 3

see i think u might be getting confused that what happens when the bug collides with the car as both experience equal forces, then what is the effect on the bug and car?

see force = mass * acceleration
action = reaction
\[m _{1}*a _{1}=m _{2}*a _{2}\]
1 for bug 2 for car
so mass( bug)< mass (car)
thus acceleration experienced by bug is greater than the acceleration experienced by car...
m*a = force = constt.
a = constt. / m
if mass increases or decreases then it would have effect on acceleration...

but in reality the bug doesnt bounce back due an opposite force, but its body ruptures due to huge amount of force or acceleration experienced and stick to the surface of the car....