Question

Which of the following statements about the motion of an object on which unbalanced forces act is false?

• A. The object could continue moving at constant speed in a straight line.
• B. The object could accelerate.
• C. The object could slow down.
• D. The object could change the direction in which it is moving.

Answer 1

Answer:

A. The object could continue moving at constant speed in a straight line.

False Statement:

• "The object could continue moving at constant speed in a straight line."

Why it's False:

1. Newton's First Law: An object at rest remains at rest, and an object in motion continues with constant velocity, unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

2. Unbalanced Forces: If an object has unbalanced forces acting on it, its velocity will change (accelerate).

3. Constant Speed: If an object is moving at a constant speed in a straight line, there are no unbalanced forces acting on it.

Therefore, the presence of unbalanced forces would cause the object to accelerate, making it impossible to continue moving at a constant speed in a straight line.