Step 1: Understanding Statement A (Condition of equilibrium).
A body is said to be in mechanical equilibrium when the net external force acting on it is zero. This means all forces balance each other such that there is no acceleration. Mathematically:
\[
\sum \vec{F} = 0
\]
Hence, Statement A is fundamentally correct according to Newton’s First Law of Motion.
Step 2: Detailed verification of Statement B (Action and reaction).
According to Newton’s Third Law, action and reaction forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, but they always act on two different bodies. They never act on the same body simultaneously. Therefore, they cannot cancel each other. Since Statement B incorrectly claims that they act on the same body and cancel each other, it is false.
Step 3: Understanding Statement C (Centrifugal force).
Centrifugal force is an apparent or pseudo force that appears only in a rotating reference frame. It is not a real interaction force like gravitational or electromagnetic force. It arises due to the non-inertial nature of the rotating frame. Therefore, Statement C is correct.
Step 4: Deep conceptual clarification of pseudo force.
In a non-inertial frame, fictitious forces like centrifugal force are introduced to apply Newton’s laws. These forces do not arise from physical interaction but from acceleration of the reference frame itself. Hence centrifugal force is classified as a pseudo force.
Step 5: Logical elimination of options.
- A is true (correct definition of equilibrium)
- B is false (action-reaction act on different bodies)
- C is true (centrifugal force is pseudo)
Step 6: Final conclusion.
Thus, only A and C are correct while B is incorrect:
\[
\boxed{\text{(3) A and C are true but B is false}}
\]