When two forces are equal and opposite, they cancel each other out, resulting in a net force of zero. This means that the object the forces are acting upon will remain at rest if it was already stationary, or continue moving at a constant velocity if it was already in motion.

Here's a breakdown:

* Equilibrium: This state of balanced forces is called equilibrium.

* No acceleration: Since there's no net force, there's no acceleration (Newton's First Law of Motion).

* Example: Imagine pushing a heavy box with the same force as your friend is pushing in the opposite direction. The box won't move because the forces are balanced.

Important Note: Equal forces don't always cancel out! If the forces are not acting in opposite directions, they might result in a net force.