SIMPLIFIED: "5.6: Newton's Third Law"

Link: https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/University_Physics/University_Physics_(OpenStax)/Book%3A_University_Physics_I_-_Mechanics_Sound_Oscillations_and_Waves_(OpenStax)/05%3A_Newton's_Laws_of_Motion/5.06%3A_Newtons_Third_Law 

Note: The above image is from the original article.

Well, I’ve covered the first two laws from Newton’s Laws of Motion. The linked article talks about Newton’s Third Law so now I will be simplifying that down. Here is basically what Newton’s Third Law says: every force exerted on an object by one object will have an equal and opposite force on the first object. That is a pretty confusing explanation so here is an example. Let’s say a tennis ball is object A, and a wall is object B. When you throw the tennis ball at a wall, the tennis ball bounces back towards you. Why? Well, it’s because of Newton's Third Law principle. When the tennis ball is thrown and initially hits the wall, the tennis ball exerts a force on the wall. Now, the wall doesn’t move at all because it has so much mass, but nonetheless, a force is exerted on the wall by the tennis ball. Because of this, the wall exerts a force of equal magnitude on the tennis ball, except in the opposite direction. This force from Newton’s Third Law is the same force that causes the tennis ball to come flying back at you. 

Let’s think about another example. If you and your friend are hanging out, and for whatever reason it may be, you push your friend forward, then you will find that you move backwards. This is also Newton’s Third Law at work. When you exert a force on your friend in the forward direction, your friend exerts an equal and opposite force on you, which is the force that causes you to move backwards. It doesn’t even have to be another person. If you try to push a wall, you’re going to move backwards, because the wall exerts an equal and opposite force on you. Ultimately, Newton’s Third Law exists everywhere in life, and although the definition may be confusing, looking at it through these real world examples makes it easier to comprehend.