What happens to an object that has a net force of zero acting on it?

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Enhance your knowledge for the ASU PHY101 Exam. Prepare with multiple choice questions, flashcards, and explanations. Get exam ready with ease!

When an object has a net force of zero acting on it, it is in a state of equilibrium. This means that the forces acting on the object balance each other out, resulting in no change in its motion. According to Newton's First Law of Motion, an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will continue to move with a constant velocity (which includes both speed and direction) unless acted upon by a net external force.

Therefore, if the net force is zero, the object will either stay in its current state of rest or maintain its current speed and direction of motion. This fundamental principle is key to understanding how objects behave under the influence of forces and is foundational in the study of mechanics in physics.

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