Multiple Choice. If all of the forces acting on an object an object are balanced (net force is zero), then:

a. The object's speed will decrease

b. The object's direction of motion can change, but its speed cannot

C. The object is ecperiencing zero acceleration

Please explain why the answer you picked is the correct answer.

F = ma

if net F=0, a=0
a=0 means no acceleration, so velocity is constant.

The correct answer is C. The object is experiencing zero acceleration.

When the forces acting on an object are balanced, it means that the net force acting on the object is zero. According to Newton's first law of motion, an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will continue moving at a constant velocity (which includes both speed and direction) unless acted upon by an external force.

If the net force on an object is zero, it means that there is no external force acting upon it to alter its motion. In this case, the object will continue to move with the same speed and direction as before. The forces acting on the object may cancel each other out, but they do not cause a change in its motion. Therefore, the object will experience zero acceleration.

Option a, "The object's speed will decrease," is incorrect because a balanced set of forces does not cause a decrease in speed. Option b, "The object's direction of motion can change, but its speed cannot," is also incorrect as an object with balanced forces will continue moving in the same direction as before. Only option C, "The object is experiencing zero acceleration," is consistent with the concept of balanced forces.