Forces and Motion

A balanced force occurs when two forces acting on an object are equal in size but opposite in direction, resulting in no change in motion.

An unbalanced force occurs when two forces acting on an object are not equal, causing the object to accelerate in the direction of the greater force.

When forces are equal and opposite, they cancel each other out, resulting in no movement of the object.

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

To calculate net force, add all the forces acting in one direction and subtract the forces acting in the opposite direction.

The unit of force is the Newton (N).

Gravity is a force that attracts two bodies towards each other, commonly experienced as the force that pulls objects towards the Earth.

Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion; an object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

The greater the mass of an object, the greater the force needed to accelerate it, as described by Newton's second law (F=ma).

Friction is a force that opposes the motion of an object, caused by the contact between two surfaces.