When you pull an object, such as a table, across the floor, the forward force by you on the table is equal but opposite to the backward force by the table on you. It seems as though these two forces should balance out, so that the table can't be moved. But the table does move, because
A) only one of these two forces actually acts on the table.
B) the force by you on the table is larger than the force of the table on you.
C) the floor pushes forward on the table.
D) the momentum always acts in a forward direction.
E) Newton's laws do not apply to the table considered as a separate object.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The force you apply acts on the table, while the equal and opposite force acts on you, not the table. Therefore, these forces do not cancel each other out on the table.

When You Pull an Object, Such as a Table, Across