Question

multiple choice question
which statement best describes what will happen to a stationary object if the net force acting on it is zero.
the object will remain at rest, because its acceleration, being proportional to the net force acting on it, is zero.
the object may accelerate, because although the net force is zero, there may be a gravitational field in the objects vicinity.
the object will remain at rest, because its velocity, being proportional to the net force acting on it, is zero.
the object may accelerate, because although the net force is zero, there may be an individual unbalanced force that is non - zero.
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Explanation:

According to Newton's first law of motion, an object at rest will remain at rest and an object in motion will continue in motion with a constant velocity unless acted upon by a net external force. When the net force acting on an object is zero, there is no acceleration ($F = ma$, so if $F = 0$, then $a=0$). If the object is initially stationary (velocity $v = 0$) and $a = 0$ (because $F_{net}=0$), the object will remain at rest.

Answer:

The object will remain at rest, because its velocity, being proportional to the net force acting on it, is zero.