Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Gravity and Newton's Third Law 
Name: James T.
Status: other
Age: 14
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2000-2001
Question:
If every action has an equal and opposite reaction, then I think the pull of gravity can be reversed somehow. anyone agree?

Replies:
James,

The equal and opposite reaction that applies to the force of the earth's gravity pulling you down is the force of your gravity pulling the earth up. Let's say that someone weighs 130 lbs. They are pushing down on the earth with 130 lbs but the earth is pushing back with 130 lbs (equal and opposite force).

Greg Bradburn


Click here to return to the Physics Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory