Question

Which list shows what can happen to se motion of an object when an unbalanced force is applied to it?

A The object speeds up, slows down, or stays at rest
B The object speeds up, slows down, or changes direction
C. The object moves at a constant speed, speeds up, or slows down
D. The object moves at a constant speed, speeds up, or changes direction

Answer 1

When an unbalanced force is applied to an object, it can speed up, slow down, or change direction; these are all forms of acceleration.

Step-by-step explanation:

When an unbalanced force is applied to an object, three things can happen to the motion of the object: the object speeds up, slows down, or changes direction. This is because the definition of acceleration includes not only changes in speed but also changes in the direction of motion. For example, a car rounding a bend at a constant speed is changing direction, so it is accelerating even without changing its speed. Similarly, a bowling ball rolling down an alley is accelerating as it speeds up due to gravity.