If every action has an equal but opposite reaction, how can anything move?

Subject: If every action has an equal but opposite reaction, how can anything move?

Date: Mon Feb 4 22:12:36 2002
Posted by No name entered.
Grade level: 10-12 School: No school entered.
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Area of science: Physics
ID: 1012878756.Ph

Message:


Newton's third law states that every action has an equal but opposite 
reaction.  Every force has an opposing force.  So, then, how is it that 
anything can move at all?

If I am pushing on a box with a force of 50N, and it is pushing back with the 
same force of 50N in the opposite direction, how is it that I can move it if 
the forces cancel out?

Thank you for any help you can provide.

Re: If every action has an equal but opposite reaction, how can anything move?

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