Question

If an object is at rest, can you conclude that there are no forces acting on it? Explain.

Short answer

No, we couldn't conclude that there are no forces acting on it.

Step-by-step solution

Step-1: Given Information

The object is in the state of rest.

Step-2: Simplification 

Newton 's first law states that an object that is at rest will remain at rest or an object that is moving will continue to move in a straight line with constant velocity, if and only if the net force acting on the object is zero. This means when the object is at rest, the net force on it, is zero but there are more than one force act on it but the forces act on it with the same magnitude in the opposite direction.

For example, a book on a table, the earth exerts a force gravity on it down while the table exerts a normal force on it upward with the same magnitude, so it remains at the rest.

Hence, the answer is no, we couldn't conclude that there are no forces acting on it.