You are absolutely correct! When an object moves in a straight line at a constant speed, the forward and backward forces acting on it are equal. This is a direct consequence of Newton's First Law of Motion, which states that an object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

Here's why:

* Forward Force: This is the force propelling the object forward. It could be the force of an engine, the wind pushing a sail, or even your muscles pushing a bike pedal.

* Backward Force: This force opposes the forward force. It could be friction, air resistance, or any other force acting against the object's motion.

When these forces are equal, they cancel each other out, resulting in a net force of zero. Since there's no unbalanced force, the object continues moving at a constant speed in a straight line.

Example: Imagine a car driving down a highway. The engine provides the forward force, while friction from the tires, air resistance, and rolling resistance create backward forces. When the car maintains a steady speed, these forces are balanced.