If net force is not zero, what happens?

If net force is not zero, what happens?

• A. It accelerates
• B. It remains at rest
• C. It loses energy
• D. It stops immediately

Answer: (A)

Unbalanced forces cause a change in motion. When the net force on an object isn’t zero, it experiences acceleration—the velocity changes over time. This means the object can speed up, slow down, or change direction, depending on the direction of the net force relative to its current motion. For a stationary object, a nonzero net force will start it moving in the force’s direction. So acceleration is the outcome when there’s a nonzero net force. The other statements describe staying at rest, losing energy, or stopping immediately, which don’t follow from having an unbalanced force.

Unbalanced forces cause a change in motion. When the net force on an object isn’t zero, it experiences acceleration—the velocity changes over time. This means the object can speed up, slow down, or change direction, depending on the direction of the net force relative to its current motion. For a stationary object, a nonzero net force will start it moving in the force’s direction. So acceleration is the outcome when there’s a nonzero net force. The other statements describe staying at rest, losing energy, or stopping immediately, which don’t follow from having an unbalanced force.