What effect does an unbalanced force have on an object?

An unbalanced force acting on an object causes a change in the object's velocity, which can manifest as a change in speed or direction of motion. According to Newton's second law of motion, an unbalanced force results in the acceleration of an object. This means that if the object is at rest, it will begin to move, and if it is already in motion, its velocity will either increase, decrease, or change direction depending on the direction of the applied force.

This principle is fundamental to understanding how forces impact motion in the physical world. Unbalanced forces are essential for initiating movement or altering the state of motion of objects, which is why this answer is the most accurate in relation to the effects of unbalanced forces.