Is it true that if an object experiences a net zero external force, it is possible for the object to be travelling with a non-zero velocity?

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True

False

answer is A.

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Detailed Solution

The above statement is true.
An object can have a non-zero velocity even though its net external force is zero. Newton's first law states that “if a body is at rest or moving at a constant velocity in a straight line, it will remain at rest or keep moving in a straight line with a constant velocity unless it is acted upon by an external force”. An unbalanced force provides acceleration to alter velocity but even in absence of external force it is possible for an object to be moving with constant velocity, given that its initial velocity was not zero. Some external unbalanced force must act on the object in order to change its velocity.
A raindrop, for example, falls with a constant velocity. The upthrust and air velocity balance the weight of the drop. The drop's net force is zero. Yet it falls down to Earth, but at a constant velocity.

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