Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Practice Test 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Review Guide

When two forces act in opposite directions on an object, the net force is indeed the key factor that determines the object's acceleration. This net force is the vector sum of all forces acting on the object. If the forces are equal in magnitude, they will cancel each other out, resulting in a net force of zero. In this case, the object will experience no acceleration and remain at rest or continue to move at a constant velocity.

However, if the forces are unequal, the net force is the difference between the two forces, acting in the direction of the larger force. According to Newton's second law of motion, this net force will cause the object to accelerate in the direction of the greater force, with acceleration proportional to the magnitude of the net force.

Understanding this principle clarifies that the object's acceleration directly correlates with the net force resultant from the acting forces, whether they are equal or unequal. Thus, the statement reflecting the influence of the net force on acceleration is accurate within the context of the question.