Answer :
Final answer:
When a hammer strikes a nail, it exerts a force that drives the nail into a surface, while the nail exerts an equal force back against the hammer. This illustrates Newton's third law of motion, demonstrating the interaction between forces. Therefore, the nail pushes back against the hammer.
Explanation:
Understanding the Interaction Between a Hammer and a Nail
When a hammer strikes a nail, it exerts a force that drives the nail into a surface. According to Newton's third law of motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that while the hammer drives the nail forward, the nail also pushes back against the hammer with an equal force.
Thus, the correct answer to the question is: It pushes back against the hammer. This interaction can be compared to a similar situation in sports, like when hitting a baseball or a tennis ball. If you apply force too far from the nail's position, the nail may not receive enough force to drive it into the surface effectively. This is similar to a sweet spot in sports equipment, where optimal impact reduces discomfort or inefficiency.
Conclusion
In summary, when a hammer strikes a nail, both the hammer and the nail exert forces on each other, illustrating an important principle in physics of force and reaction.
Learn more about force interaction here:
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