What does Newton's Third Law imply about forces within a closed system?

Study for the OSAT Physical Science Test. Practice with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Newton's Third Law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This implies that when one object exerts a force on another object, the second object exerts a force of equal magnitude and in the opposite direction on the first object. In the context of a closed system, where external forces are not acting on the system, the forces that objects exert on each other will always be equal in magnitude. This balance of forces is key to understanding the interactions between objects within the system, as it ensures that the total momentum is conserved and that internal forces do not lead to a change in the overall state of motion of the system.

The understanding of forces being equal in magnitude helps clarify the dynamics of the system, where forces may act in opposing directions, thereby demonstrating how motion and stability are maintained in physical interactions.

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