Which statement best describes balanced forces?

• A. Balanced forces
• B. Unbalanced forces
• C. Terminal velocity
• D. Net force equals mass times acceleration

Answer: (A)

Balanced forces happen when all the forces on an object cancel each other out, so the net force is zero and there is no change in motion. When this happens, the object stays at rest or keeps moving with the same speed and direction. For example, gravity pulling down on a book is balanced by the normal force from the table pushing up, so the book doesn’t accelerate. The other options describe either a different situation (unbalanced forces cause acceleration) or a specific case where forces balance in a particular scenario (like terminal velocity) or state the general law linking net force to acceleration without defining balance itself.