Final answer:
An object in equilibrium has balanced forces, which means that the net force acting on the object is zero and no acceleration occurs. The correct option is: The forces are balanced.
Step-by-step explanation:
If an object is in equilibrium, it means that the object is either at rest or moving with a constant velocity; it is not accelerating. This state of equilibrium can be static (no movement) or dynamic (constant velocity). In physics, the net force acting on a body in equilibrium is zero (net F = 0). This is because forces are balanced and there is no resultant force to cause an acceleration. However, it's important to note that a net force of zero is a necessary but not sufficient condition for equilibrium. For a system to be truly in equilibrium, positions of the forces applied also matter.
For example, if equal forces are applied at different points on an object, such as an ice hockey stick laying on ice, this could lead to a situation where the stick experiences an accelerated rotation even though the net force is zero (as shown in Figure 9.5). Therefore, when determining equilibrium, it's critical to consider both the magnitude and the point of application of forces.
In summary, for an object to be in equilibrium, the forces must be balanced so that the net force equals zero and no acceleration occurs. Reflecting on the options presented in the question, the correct option is:
The forces are balanced.