Questions: A heavy truck hits a small car. At any given time during the impact, the force the truck exerts on the car is larger than the force the car exerts on the truck. the force the truck exerts on the car is smaller than the force the car exerts on the truck. the force the truck exerts on the car is equal to the force the car exerts on the truck. the only force present is the force of the truck on the car.

Solution Steps

Newton's Third Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that if one object exerts a force on another object, the second object exerts a force of equal magnitude but in the opposite direction on the first object.

In the context of the problem, when the heavy truck hits the small car, the truck exerts a force on the car. According to Newton's Third Law, the car must exert an equal and opposite force on the truck.

• The force the truck exerts on the car is larger than the force the car exerts on the truck. (Incorrect, as it contradicts Newton's Third Law)
• The force the truck exerts on the car is smaller than the force the car exerts on the truck. (Incorrect, as it contradicts Newton's Third Law)
• The force the truck exerts on the car is equal to the force the car exerts on the truck. (Correct, as it aligns with Newton's Third Law)
• The only force present is the force of the truck on the car. (Incorrect, as it ignores the reaction force from the car on the truck)

Final Answer