Question

An athlete who takes part in track event, apply a force backward using hands and legs. Why?

Answer 1

An athlete who takes part in track event, apply a force backward using hands and legs, because -

• The motive of all athletes in a track event is to run in the fastest possible velocity to win the event.
• Now, to gain the fastest velocity, one has to gain the greatest amount of acceleration.
• And consequently, to achieve the greatest amount of acceleration one has to apply a greater amount of force. [F = ma]
• According to the Newton's third law, the opposite direction is chosen to apply the force to gain the reaction force in the opposite direction or in front direction.
• This reaction force in front direction helps the athelete to accelerate in front direction and to gain a dash start in the event.