Which of the following physical principles explains why a person swimming pushes water backward to move forward?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Newton's third law of motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When a swimmer pushes the water backward, the water exerts an equal and forward reaction force on the swimmer, propelling them ahead. Newton's first law deals with inertia, while momentum conservation applies to collisions. Buoyancy explains floating objects rather than propulsion.