Which of the following happens when two equal and opposite forces are applied at a point on a rigid body?

Explanation:

Understanding the Effect of Equal and Opposite Forces on a Rigid Body

Definition: When two equal and opposite forces are applied at a point on a rigid body, they are known as balanced forces. Balanced forces are forces that are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction. They act along the same line of action and, as a result, they cancel each other out.

Working Principle: In physics, forces are vectors, meaning they have both magnitude and direction. When two forces of equal magnitude but opposite direction are applied at a point on a rigid body, the net force on the body is the vector sum of the two forces. Since the forces are equal and opposite, their vector sum is zero. This means that the forces cancel each other out, resulting in no net force acting on the body.

Analysis of Correct Option (Option 3):

When two equal and opposite forces are applied at a point on a rigid body, they cancel each other and have no effect. This means that the body remains in its state of rest or uniform motion, according to Newton's First Law of Motion, which states that an object will remain at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force.

To understand this better, consider the following points:

• Equilibrium: A rigid body is said to be in equilibrium when the net force and net torque acting on it are zero. In this case, since the forces are equal and opposite, the net force is zero, and the body remains in equilibrium.
• Translational Motion: Since the net force is zero, there is no translational motion induced in the body. The body does not accelerate in any direction.
• Rotational Motion: For rotational motion to occur, there must be a net torque acting on the body. In this scenario, the equal and opposite forces do not create a net torque because they act along the same line of action and their moments cancel each other out.