Equilibrium: The figure shows two forces acting on an object, with magnitudes and What third force will cause the object to be in equilibrium (acceleration equals zero)?
A) 52 N pointing down
B) 52 N pointing up
C) 82 N pointing down
D) 82 N pointing up

Question

Equilibrium: The figure shows two forces acting on an object, with magnitudes  and  What third force will cause the object to be in equilibrium (acceleration equals zero)? 
A) 52 N pointing down 
B) 52 N pointing up 
C) 82 N pointing down 
D) 82 N pointing up

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In order for the object to be in equilibrium, the sum of all forces acting on it must be zero. Since the two given forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction (i.e. they cancel each other out), the third force must also have a magnitude of 11eb6b7b_2f2a_4277_b0cf_f1668f89cbe5_TB8274_11. However, it must be in the opposite direction of the force with magnitude 11eb6b7b_2f2a_4278_b0cf_0d19936126ed_TB8274_11, which means it must point downwards. Therefore, the correct answer is A) 52 N pointing down.

Equilibrium: the Figure Shows Two Forces Acting on an Object