If the net force on an object is not zero, are the forces balanced?

If the net force on an object is not zero, are the forces balanced?

• A. Sometimes
• B. No
• C. Yes
• D. Not enough information

Answer: (B)

Balanced forces cancel each other out, giving a net force of zero, which means no change in motion. If the net force on an object is not zero, there is an unbalanced force. That imbalance causes the object to accelerate in the direction of the net force, as described by Fnet = ma. So the statement is not true—nonzero net force means the forces are not balanced. For example, pushing a cart with more force than the opposing friction makes the cart speed up in the push direction.

Balanced forces cancel each other out, giving a net force of zero, which means no change in motion. If the net force on an object is not zero, there is an unbalanced force. That imbalance causes the object to accelerate in the direction of the net force, as described by Fnet = ma. So the statement is not true—nonzero net force means the forces are not balanced. For example, pushing a cart with more force than the opposing friction makes the cart speed up in the push direction.