Action and Reaction: Teaching Newton’s Third Law with Interactive Physics Experiments
The Mystery of the Floating Balloon Rocket
Why does a balloon shoot across the room when you let it go?
Air rushes out in one direction — and the balloon races the other way. This visual, chaotic motion is a perfect Newton’s Third Law experiment for students.
Newton’s Third Law says: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
From rocket launches to walking, this law helps students understand motion in the world around them. In this article, we’ll break down how to demonstrate Newton’s Third Law to students with fun, NGSS-aligned experiments supported by JoVE’s visual science videos.
What Is Newton’s Third Law?
Newton’s Third Law of Motion states: Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
Put simply:
- One object applies a force
- The second object pushes back with the same force in the opposite direction
Examples:
- You push against a wall → the wall pushes back
The wall doesn’t move, but you feel resistance—showing equal and opposite force. - A rocket expels gas downward → the rocket lifts upward
The force of the expelled gas pushes the rocket in the opposite direction—upward thrust. - A swimmer pushes water backward → their body moves forward
The backward force on the water causes the forward motion of the swimmer—propelling them ahead.
These are classic force pairs demonstrations that clarify how forces work in opposite directions.
Newton’s Third Law Experiment – Balloon Rocket Race
Objective:
Show how action and reaction force activities can be simple and effective in demonstrating real-world motion.
Materials Needed:
- Balloons
- Straw
- String
- Tape
- Chairs or supports
Steps:
- Thread a string through a straw and secure it between two supports
- Tape an inflated balloon to the straw without tying it
- Let go — and watch the balloon fly across the string!
What’s Happening?
- Action: Air rushes out of the balloon’s opening
- Reaction: The balloon shoots forward in the opposite direction
📌 This hands-on Newton’s Third Law experiment for the classroom aligns with NGSS MS-PS2-1: Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.
Want the full picture of Newton’s Laws? Learn how they begin with Newton’s First Law and apply force in Newton’s Second Law.
Activity Extension – Coin Flick Challenge
Try this in small groups:
- Stack several coins
- Flick the bottom one sharply
- Watch the top coin pop up — a clear reaction to the force below
This is an engaging force pairs demonstration and ties into both inertia and action-reaction force relationships.
Addressing Student Misconceptions
When teaching Newton’s Third Law, many middle schoolers believe:
- ❌ “Action happens first, then reaction follows.”
✅ In truth, both happen simultaneously. - ❌ “Only the object being pushed feels the force.”
✅ Newton’s Law confirms both objects experience equal and opposite forces.
JoVE’s NGSS-aligned physics activities on action-reaction forces use slow-motion clips and side-by-side visuals to show what students often can’t see — making the invisible forces visible.
📊 In JoVE’s study, students who watched video demonstrations scored up to 89.5% on assessments compared to 28% with only textbook prep.
Real-Life Applications of Newton’s Third Law
Students connect better when they see relevance. Use real-world examples to drive understanding:
- 🚀 Rocket Launches — gas expelled downward = lift-off
The force of expelled gas pushes the rocket upward with equal and opposite force. - 🏊♀️ Swimming — pushing water back = forward motion
As the swimmer pushes water backward, the reaction force propels them forward. - 🚣♂️ Rowing a Boat — oars push water = boat moves forward
Pushing water backward with oars creates a reaction force that moves the boat forward.
Challenge students to find their own examples in sports, transportation, and nature. This deepens their understanding of Newton’s laws for middle and high school learners.
NGSS-Aligned Resources to Save Time
With JoVE, you can:
- Use NGSS-aligned video content instantly in the classroom
- Assign interactive assessments and activities
- Integrate with Google Classroom, Canvas, and other LMS platforms
Explore the full JoVE Physics Video Library for Middle and High School for more lessons on force and motion.
Conclusion – Turning Theory Into Tangible Learning
Newton’s Third Law is more than a rule — it’s a tool for helping students understand how the world works. And when paired with JoVE’s videos, labs, and classroom tools, the concept comes alive.
Bring JoVE to your classroom starting at just $2 per student.
Schools can use a wide range of funding sources—state and local options, or federal options like Title I, III, IV, and EdTech—to support access.
Explore funding resources or book a demo to learn how your school can start using JoVE’s complete STEM video library today.
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