Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

Front

What are balanced forces?

Back

Balanced forces are two or more forces acting on an object that are equal in size and opposite in direction, resulting in no change in motion.

Front

What are unbalanced forces?

Back

Unbalanced forces occur when two or more forces acting on an object are not equal, causing the object to accelerate in the direction of the net force.

Front

Give an example of balanced forces.

Back

A boy standing still is an example of balanced forces, as the forces acting on him are equal and opposite.

Front

Give an example of unbalanced forces.

Back

A ball rolling across the floor with friction acting in the opposite direction is an example of unbalanced forces.

Front

What happens when forces are balanced?

Back

When forces are balanced, the object does not move or continues to move at a constant speed.

Front

What happens when forces are unbalanced?

Back

When forces are unbalanced, the object will accelerate in the direction of the net force.

Front

What is the net force?

Back

The net force is the overall force acting on an object after all the individual forces are combined.

Front

How do you determine if forces are balanced or unbalanced?

Back

If the total forces acting on an object are equal in size and opposite in direction, they are balanced. If they are not equal, they are unbalanced.

Front

What is an example of a situation with balanced forces?

Back

A chair sitting on the floor with balanced forces acting in opposite directions is an example of balanced forces.

Front

What is an example of a situation with unbalanced forces?

Back

A train pulling on another train, each with the same amount of force, is an example of balanced forces, but if one train pulls harder, it becomes unbalanced.