A diver weighing 138 pounds has just dived up and out from the high board and is doing a backflip before starting to descend toward the water. How much force does the diver exert on Earth while doing the backflip?
A) much more than 138 pounds because Earth is so much more massive than the diver
B) Zero
C) much less than 138 pounds (but more than zero) because the diver has so much less mass than Earth
D) 138 pounds

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The force exerted by the diver on Earth is equal to the diver's weight, which is 138 pounds, according to Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

A Diver Weighing 138 Pounds Has Just Dived Up and Out