What describes the condition when the resultant force on a body is zero?

What describes the condition when the resultant force on a body is zero?

• A. Unbalanced forces
• B. Balanced forces
• C. Kinetic friction
• D. Inertia

Answer: (B)

When the resultant force on a body is zero, this condition is accurately described as balanced forces. In this scenario, the forces acting on the body are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction, resulting in no change in the object's motion. This means that the body will either remain at rest or continue to move at a constant velocity, in accordance with Newton's first law of motion. The balance of forces ensures that the net force acting on the object is zero, indicating a state of equilibrium. In contrast, unbalanced forces would lead to a change in the object's motion, either accelerating or decelerating. Kinetic friction pertains to the forces opposing the motion of an object sliding over another surface, which does not specifically describe the condition of balanced forces. Inertia refers to an object's resistance to changes in its state of motion, which again does not directly define the condition of zero resultant force but rather describes a property of mass. Thus, the concept of balanced forces is critical in understanding how and why an object remains in a state of equilibrium.

When the resultant force on a body is zero, this condition is accurately described as balanced forces. In this scenario, the forces acting on the body are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction, resulting in no change in the object's motion. This means that the body will either remain at rest or continue to move at a constant velocity, in accordance with Newton's first law of motion. The balance of forces ensures that the net force acting on the object is zero, indicating a state of equilibrium.

In contrast, unbalanced forces would lead to a change in the object's motion, either accelerating or decelerating. Kinetic friction pertains to the forces opposing the motion of an object sliding over another surface, which does not specifically describe the condition of balanced forces. Inertia refers to an object's resistance to changes in its state of motion, which again does not directly define the condition of zero resultant force but rather describes a property of mass. Thus, the concept of balanced forces is critical in understanding how and why an object remains in a state of equilibrium.