Taylor (150 lbs.) and Josh (200 lbs.) are standing on frictionless ice. Taylor pushes on Josh. During the push which person exerts the greater force on the other?

• A. Taylor exerts a greater amount of force on Josh than Josh exerts on Taylor.
• B. Josh exerts a greater amount of force on Taylor than the Taylor exerts on Josh.
• C. It depends upon exactly how Taylor pushes.
• D. Taylor exerts the same amount of force on Josh as Josh exerts on Taylor.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by recalling Newton's Third Law of Motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that forces between two interacting objects are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.
2. Consider the scenario: Taylor pushes on Josh while both are standing on frictionless ice. According to Newton's Third Law, the force Taylor exerts on Josh is equal in magnitude to the force Josh exerts on Taylor, but in the opposite direction.
3. Understand that the mass of Taylor and Josh does not affect the magnitude of the forces they exert on each other. The law applies regardless of their individual masses.
4. Reflect on the concept of frictionless ice. The lack of friction means there are no external forces acting on Taylor and Josh that would alter the forces they exert on each other.
5. Conclude that the correct answer is: Taylor exerts the same amount of force on Josh as Josh exerts on Taylor, due to Newton's Third Law of Motion.