Question
Which of the following conditions would always result in a net force of 0 N?
A. Two equal but opposite forces act on an object.
B. An object is at rest.
C. One person is pushing and another is pulling on the same object.
D. Two people push on an object with the same force.
A. Two equal but opposite forces act on an object.
B. An object is at rest.
C. One person is pushing and another is pulling on the same object.
D. Two people push on an object with the same force.
Answers
GPT-5 mini
Answer: A only.
Reasoning:
- A: Two equal and opposite forces cancel, giving a net force of 0 N.
- B: An object at rest may still have unbalanced forces (it could be instantaneously at rest but accelerating next), so not guaranteed.
- C: Pushing and pulling could be in the same or opposite directions and with different magnitudes, so net force need not be zero.
- D: If both push in the same direction the forces add; if they push from opposite sides the forces cancel—so it is not always zero.
Reasoning:
- A: Two equal and opposite forces cancel, giving a net force of 0 N.
- B: An object at rest may still have unbalanced forces (it could be instantaneously at rest but accelerating next), so not guaranteed.
- C: Pushing and pulling could be in the same or opposite directions and with different magnitudes, so net force need not be zero.
- D: If both push in the same direction the forces add; if they push from opposite sides the forces cancel—so it is not always zero.