An object is moving at a constant speed. If a balanced force is applied in the opposite direction the object is moving, what will most likely happen?
a
The object will change direction.
b
The object will continue moving at a constant speed.
c
The object will speed up.
d
The object will slow down and eventually stop moving.
b
The object will continue moving at a constant speed.
If a balanced force is applied, it means that the total force on the object is zero since the applied force is exactly counteracted by an equal and opposite force. According to Newton's first law of motion (the law of inertia), an object in motion will remain in motion at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. Since the forces are balanced and there is no unbalanced force acting on the object, it will continue moving at the same constant speed in the same direction.