If all of the forces acting on an object balance so that the net force is zero, then:
A. the object must be at rest
B. the object’s speed will decrease
C. the object will follow a parabolic trajectory
D. the object’s direction of motion can change, but its speed cannot
E. None of the above
Answer (3)
If the net force acting on an object is zero, it can either stay at rest or continue moving at a constant speed in a straight line, according to Newton's First Law of Motion. ;
A. the object must be at rest
When all forces acting on an object balance to give a net force of zero, according to Newton's first law of motion, the object remains at rest or continues moving at a constant velocity (which includes zero velocity, i.e., being at rest).
When the net force acting on an object is zero, it means that the object is either at rest or moving with a constant velocity. This scenario aligns with Newton's first law, which states that an object will not change its state of motion unless acted upon by an external force. Therefore, while the object can be at rest, it can also be in uniform motion, making option A a valid choice.
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