Concept explainers
An object at rest means that there is no force acting on the object.
Answer to Problem 1CQ
When the object is not moving, it is in the state of stable equilibrium. In stable equilibrium, the net force acting on the object will be zero. Thus, there may a group of forces acing on the object that may cancel out each other to zero net force.
Explanation of Solution
An object remains at rest (stable equilibrium) until a net force is acting on the object. Force is a vector quantity. Therefore, there are two possible conditions for the net force on the object to be zero.
- 1. There is no force acting on the object.
- 2. A group of forces acting on the objects cancel out each other to zero net force.
For example, when two person pulling a rope with equal forces in opposite direction, the rope remains in its state of stable equilibrium.
Therefore, if an object is at rest, one cannot conclude that no force is acting on it. There may be a group of forces such that the net force of them is zero.
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