How can an object have forces acting on it but not accelerating?

Answer 1

If all forces in all direction on an object are equal then a box diagram would show that the forces (newtons, N) will cancel each other out, so it will stay fixed in it's position

If the forces are imbalanced then you can achieve acceleration. So for a car to move it must overcome tyre friction, so heat and noise wastage, air resistance, and all the smaller forces trying to stop the engine moving (mostly friction). Once it produces more force than those require it can move.
No. A balanced group of forces has the same effect on an object as no force at all.

Answer 2

An object must have a NET force on it to accelerate. Balanced forces mean the NET force is zero. For example, two equal and opposite forces are "balanced". If you have more then two forces you have to combine them using vector addition to see if their vector sum is zero. If it is then they are balanced.

Answer 3

An object sitting on a table has the force of gravity on it and the normal force pressing up from the table to counter gravity and keep the object from moving. As long as the object isn't moving, it isn't accelerating since acceleration relies on velocity.

Answer 4

Ok, well other than because Newton's laws say so? =p (I assume you're familiar with F=ma).

Well, Newton's first law of motion states that an object will continue moving in a constant motion until a force acts upon it. So if you imagine you were in space and you have an obecjt and you push it with a force of 10N and then let go. It will continue moving at a constant speed as the resultant force on it is now zero. However, if you keep applying that force, it is already at say 10 m/s, if you then continue applying that force, as there is no resistance (or not enough to attain equilibrium on earth), then the object HAS to get fast (or accellerate) as it is gaining more energy and Kinetic Energy = 1/2 x mass x velocity² .

Hope this helps =).

Answer 5

no

because F = ma

if force balanced the resultant force =0

so if F= 0 and mas is not equal to 0

so a=0

so balanced forces cannot accelerate an object

Answer 6

An object will accelerate in the direction of the force. If it is already moving in some other direction, it will change its direction and speed gradually. If it is initially at rest, and there is an unbalanced force, it WILL move in the direction of the unbalanced force. That is, in the direction of the vector sum of all forces acting on the object. If it moves in any other direction, then your assumption about the forces was wrong - there may be other forces acting on the object. One such force that is quite common is friction.