Could the net force be zero if a third force is exerted on an object?
Could the net force be zero if a third force is exerted on an object? From your question it follows that only two forces are acting on the object before the third force is exerted. The object is at rest or in uniform motion, if the two forces are equal but opposite to one another, Resultant of two forces is that single force which effectively replaces the two forces both in magnitude and direction. A third force which acting along with the two forces keep the object at rest ,it is called equilibrant of the two forces. The equilibrant is always equal but opposite to the resultant of the other forces. The resultant of all forces put together is zero. When a number of forces act on an object keeps the object in equilibrium, then each force is the equilibrant of other forces. =============================== Hence the answer to your question is net force can be zero if a third force is exerted on an object. The third force is then called the equilibrant of the other two forces. ============
