A net force of 3 N is acting on an object. What does this imply about other forces acting on it?

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Get ready for the UCF PSC1121 Physical Science Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each offering hints and explanations. Boost your exam readiness with our resources!

When a net force of 3 N is acting on an object, this indicates that the object is experiencing an unbalanced force, which directly leads to acceleration according to Newton's second law of motion. This law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting upon it and inversely proportional to its mass (F = ma).

In this context, the presence of a net force means that the total forces acting on the object do not cancel each other out, resulting in a change in the object's velocity over time. Thus, the object must be accelerating in the direction of the net force.

This also implies that the other forces acting on the object are not balanced, meaning there is a difference in magnitude or direction of the forces at play. If they were balanced, the net force would be zero, and there would be no acceleration. Therefore, the conclusion that there is ongoing acceleration as a result of the net force accurately aligns with the principles of motion described in physics.