Which term describes the force that determines a body's state of motion or equilibrium?

The term that accurately describes the force determining a body's state of motion or equilibrium is the resultant force. This is because the resultant force is the vector sum of all individual forces acting on a body. When the resultant force is zero, the body is either at rest or moving at a constant velocity, thus in a state of equilibrium.

When multiple forces are acting on an object, they can be combined to determine the overall effect these forces have on the object’s motion. If the resultant force is not zero, it leads to acceleration, changing the object's state of motion. Therefore, understanding resultant forces is crucial in analyzing motion and equilibrium in the context of surveying and design, as it dictates how structures respond to various forces. This makes the concept foundational in achieving accurate calculations and designs within the disciplines studied in PSAD.