Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

Front

What is a force?

Back

A push or pull that can change the motion of an object.

Front

What are balanced forces?

Back

Forces that are equal in size and opposite in direction, resulting in no change in motion.

Front

What are unbalanced forces?

Back

Forces that are not equal and can cause an object to accelerate, decelerate, or change direction.

Front

What happens to an object's speed when an unbalanced force acts on it?

Back

The speed of the object can increase or decrease.

Front

Give an example of balanced forces.

Back

A lamp sitting on a table, where the force of gravity is balanced by the support force from the table.

Front

Give an example of unbalanced forces.

Back

A rocket lifting off the launch pad, where the thrust is greater than the gravitational pull.

Front

What is the net force?

Back

The overall force acting on an object when all the individual forces are combined.

Front

How do you calculate net force?

Back

Add up all the forces acting in one direction and subtract the forces acting in the opposite direction.

Front

What is inertia?

Back

The tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion.

Front

How does mass affect inertia?

Back

The greater the mass of an object, the greater its inertia.