Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

Front

What is a balanced force?

Back

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.

Front

What is an unbalanced force?

Back

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.

Front

Give an example of a balanced force.

Back

A lamp sitting on a table is an example of a balanced force because the force of gravity pulling it down is balanced by the support force from the table.

Front

Give an example of an unbalanced force.

Back

A car accelerating from a stop sign is an example of an unbalanced force because the engine's force is greater than the opposing forces of friction and air resistance.

Front

What is force?

Back

A force is a push or a pull on an object that can cause it to change its velocity (speed or direction).

Front

What is inertia?

Back

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 a force.

Front

True or False: A balanced force means an object is not moving.

Back

False. A balanced force can act on a moving object, keeping it moving at a constant speed.

Front

What happens to an object when unbalanced forces act on it?

Back

When unbalanced forces act on an object, it 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 when all the individual forces are combined.

Front

What is friction?

Back

Friction is a force that opposes the motion of an object, acting in the opposite direction of the object's movement.