Question

according to newtons second law of motion, when an object is acted on by an unbalanced force, how will that object respond?
it will decrease speed.
it will increase velocity.
it will accelerate.
it will stop moving.

Explanation:

Newton's second law of motion states that \(F = ma\) (where \(F\) is the net force, \(m\) is the mass of the object, and \(a\) is the acceleration). An unbalanced force (\(F
eq0\)) acting on an object means there is a non - zero acceleration (\(a=\frac{F}{m}\), \(m> 0\)). Acceleration is a change in velocity (it can be an increase or decrease in speed, or a change in direction). The options "It will decrease speed" and "It will increase velocity" are too narrow as acceleration is a more general concept. The option "It will stop moving" implies \(a =-\frac{v}{t}\) (where \(v\) is the initial velocity and \(t\) is the time) which is only a special case of acceleration. When there is an unbalanced force, by \(F = ma\), the object will accelerate.

Answer:

It will accelerate.