Question

A small bug is lying resting when nine ants simultaneously ambush it and begin pulling it in different directions. They are each applying force to the meatloaf of a different magnitude and direction. The resultant of all these forces is zero, and the bug amazingly does not rip apart under the strain. (a) Will the bug move or remain motionless? Why?

Answer 1

Answer: The bug will remain motionless

Explanation:

According to Newton's first Law of Motion (sometimes called Law of Inertia):

An object at rest or describing a uniform straight line motion (moving at constant velocity), will remain at rest or moving unless an external force is applied to it and changes its state of rest or motion.

In other words:

An object or body will keep its state of motion until an external force changes its state

This means that objects tend to remain in its state of motion, and is the definition of the inertia, as well.

In addition, according to his law, an object in rest can be in equilibrium (net force equals to zero), and a moving object can also be in equilibrium, as long as it keeps a constant velocity.

This is why the bug, which is at rest will remain at rest, although the ants are simultaneously pulling it in different directions, since the resultant of all these forces is zero.