Newton’s Laws of Motion – identify the correct consolidated statement set Which of the following options correctly lists Newton’s three fundamental laws of motion as used in engineering mechanics?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: All of the above

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Newton’s laws of motion form the bedrock of classical mechanics used across civil, mechanical, and aerospace engineering. They define how forces influence motion and how bodies interact. Mastery of these laws supports analysis of structures, machines, and vehicles under loads.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The laws apply to inertial frames (non-accelerating reference frames).
  • Motion is described using mass, velocity, momentum, and force.
  • Forces are idealized as vectors acting at points or distributed as needed.


Concept / Approach:

Law 1 (Inertia): A body maintains uniform motion or rest unless a net external force acts. Law 2 (Dynamics): Net force equals time rate of change of momentum; for constant mass, F = m * a. Law 3 (Interaction): Forces between two bodies are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction along the same line of action.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Identify statement (a) as Law 1 (inertia).Identify statement (b) as Law 2 (momentum–force relation).Identify statement (c) as Law 3 (action–reaction pair).Since all three are correct, choose the option consolidating them.


Verification / Alternative check:

Applying to a simple block: if no net force, velocity remains constant (Law 1); pushing with constant force yields constant acceleration (Law 2); hand feels an opposite push from the block (Law 3).


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

(a), (b), and (c) are individually correct but incomplete. (e) omits the crucial interaction principle in (c).


Common Pitfalls:

Confusing reaction with resistance or friction; forgetting that action–reaction forces act on different bodies; assuming Law 1 requires zero forces rather than zero net force.


Final Answer:

All of the above

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