if multiple forces are acting on an object, which statement is always true? (1 point)
• The acceleration will be directed in the direction of the applied force.
• The acceleration will be directed in the direction of the gravitational force.
• The acceleration will be directed in the direction of the normal force.
O The acceleration will be directed in the direction of the net force.
• The acceleration will be directed in the direction of the applied force.
The correct statement is: The acceleration will be directed in the direction of the net force.
The statement that is always true if multiple forces are acting on an object is: "The acceleration will be directed in the direction of the net force."
The statement that is always true when multiple forces are acting on an object is: "The acceleration will be directed in the direction of the net force."
To understand why this statement is always true, let's break down the options:
1. "The acceleration will be directed in the direction of the applied force." This statement is not always true because the applied force may be balanced by other forces, resulting in no acceleration or a different direction of acceleration.
2. "The acceleration will be directed in the direction of the gravitational force." This statement is not always true either. While gravity is a force that can influence the acceleration of an object, other forces may also be acting on it, causing the acceleration to differ from that of the gravitational force.
3. "The acceleration will be directed in the direction of the normal force." The normal force is the force exerted by a surface to support the weight of an object resting on it. While the normal force can affect the object's state of rest or motion, it may not determine the direction of acceleration in the presence of other forces.
4. "The acceleration will be directed in the direction of the net force." This statement is always true. The net force is the vector sum of all the forces acting on an object. According to Newton's second law of motion, the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and is in the same direction as the net force. Therefore, the direction of the net force determines the direction of acceleration.
So, in conclusion, the statement that is always true when multiple forces act on an object is that "the acceleration will be directed in the direction of the net force."