An object is moving w/constant velocity in a straight line. Which of the following statements is true? *I'm just putting this up for my records.

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1 Answer
Maxwell
May 9, 2017

Yes, there is no NET FORCE on the object.

Explanation:

However, there are forces acting on the object.

There is #"friction"# opposing the motion of the object, but it is exactly balanced out by a constant force in the opposite direction. Since both forces are balanced, you don't see any slowing down or speeding up as a result and the net force results to be zero - speed is constant.

Since the question doesn't state to ignore friction, friction is assumed to be at play here.

https://www.mansfieldct.org/Schools/MMS/staff/hand/lawsunbalancedforce.htm

There are also forces acting on the object in the y direction, but those also balance out, and hence, you don't see the object flying off the ground.

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/circles/Lesson-4/Weightlessness-in-Orbit

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