What do we call it when a number of forces act on a body and the resultant force is not zero?

Master the NCEA Level 3 Physics Mechanics Exam with tailored quiz questions. Study efficiently with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations. Get prepared for your exam success!

Multiple Choice

What do we call it when a number of forces act on a body and the resultant force is not zero?

Explanation:
When multiple forces act upon a body and the resultant force is not zero, it indicates a situation where the forces are unbalanced. This means that the combined effect of these forces will cause the body to accelerate in the direction of the resultant force according to Newton's second law of motion (F = ma). In practical terms, unbalanced forces lead to changes in motion, such as starting to move, speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction. In contrast, balanced forces occur when the forces acting on an object cancel each other out, resulting in a net force of zero. This does not lead to any change in the object's state of motion. Static forces typically refer to forces acting on an object at rest, while dynamic forces involve objects in motion but do not necessarily imply unbalance. Only unbalanced forces create the net force responsible for an object's acceleration or change in motion.

When multiple forces act upon a body and the resultant force is not zero, it indicates a situation where the forces are unbalanced. This means that the combined effect of these forces will cause the body to accelerate in the direction of the resultant force according to Newton's second law of motion (F = ma). In practical terms, unbalanced forces lead to changes in motion, such as starting to move, speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction.

In contrast, balanced forces occur when the forces acting on an object cancel each other out, resulting in a net force of zero. This does not lead to any change in the object's state of motion. Static forces typically refer to forces acting on an object at rest, while dynamic forces involve objects in motion but do not necessarily imply unbalance. Only unbalanced forces create the net force responsible for an object's acceleration or change in motion.

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