In physics, what is used to study forces acting on an object?

In physics, the study of forces acting on an object falls under the branch known as dynamics. Dynamics specifically focuses on the forces and their effect on motion. It encompasses analyzing how forces cause objects to accelerate, change direction, or remain at rest. This branch of physics examines both the causes of motion (forces) and the resulting changes in motion (acceleration).

On the other hand, equilibrium concerns situations where the net forces acting on an object are zero, leading to constant motion or rest, but it does not address the forces themselves in a changing motion scenario. Kinematics deals primarily with the description of motion without regard for the forces that cause it, focusing instead on concepts like velocity and displacement over time. Statistics, while a valuable field in analyzing data, does not specifically relate to the mechanics of forces and motion in physics. Thus, dynamics is the most relevant and accurate choice for understanding how forces influence the behavior of objects.