If you step off a high board and drop to the water below, you plunge into the water without injury. On the other hand, if you were to drop the same distance onto solid ground, you might break a leg. What is the difference in terms of Newton's Laws?
Question asked by: knowitall
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Therefore the action of hitting the surface results in a response that is proportionate.
Now with water, the energy can dissipate in many directions through the water and therefore the impact is less harmful.
Solids are more harmful and therefore the reaction goes straight into you and you feel all the shock, hence the much worse injuries experienced in most cases.
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Question Keywords
drop laws break ground solid leg terms
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