A person is on a raft. The person exerts a force on the raft, causing the raft to move. The person also moves in the opposite direction.

Which statement BEST explains why the person and the raft moved in opposite directions?

A) second law of motion

B) action and reaction forces

C) person wanted the raft to move

D) force is the product of mass and acceleration

B) action and reaction forces

Option (B) is correct.

Explanation:

According to the third law of motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Both action and reaction force acts on the two different bodies.

The action and reaction are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.

As, the person exerts a force on the raft, then raft also exerts a force on the person in opposite direction.

So the person moves in the opposite direction.