Question - Determining the State of Motion for an Object on a Surface

In this physics problem, we are looking at an object on a horizontal surface experiencing two horizontal forces. The first force is an applied force of \( F_{\text{applied}} = 20 \, \text{N} \), and the second is a frictional force of \( F_{\text{friction}} = 20 \, \text{N} \) opposing the motion.

Newton's first law, also known as the law of inertia, tells us that an object at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by a net external force. A net external force is the vector sum of all forces acting on the object. If the net force is zero, the state of motion of the object does not change.

In this case, the applied force and the frictional force are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction. We can express the net force \( F_{\text{net}} \) as the sum of \( F_{\text{applied}} \) and \( -F_{\text{friction}} \), since friction opposes the applied force:

\[ F_{\text{net}} = F_{\text{applied}} - F_{\text{friction}} \]

Substituting the given values, we have:

\[ F_{\text{net}} = 20 \, \text{N} - 20 \, \text{N} = 0 \, \text{N} \]

With a net force of \( 0 \, \text{N} \), there is no unbalanced force acting on the object. According to Newton's first law, if the object was initially at rest, it will remain at rest. Since the object is not accelerating, its state of motion does not change. Therefore, the object will continue to be at rest.

So, the state of motion of the object will be that it remains stationary, not moving.