exerts balanced forces that helps it from moving. exerts a force equal to the weight of the hammer. exerts an unbalanced force that changes its velocity. exerts an equal and opposite force back on the hammer.
I gave my students this multiple choice question: When a hammer strikes a nail, the nail

Only one answer is correct among these 4 choices:
- exerts balanced forces that helps it from moving.
- exerts a force equal to the weight of the hammer.
- exerts an unbalanced force that changes its velocity.
- exerts an equal and opposite force back on the hammer.

Could you tell me which one is correct?

exerts an equal and opposite force back on the hammer.