Balanced & 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 balanced forces in everyday life.

Back

A book resting on a table experiences balanced forces: the upward force from the table equals the downward force of gravity.

Front

Give an example of unbalanced forces in everyday life.

Back

A skateboarder going down a ramp experiences unbalanced forces as gravity pulls them down while friction opposes their motion.

Front

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

Back

An object will either remain at rest or continue to move at a constant speed in a straight line.

Front

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

Back

An object will accelerate, meaning it will speed up, slow down, or change direction.

Front

How do frictional forces affect motion?

Back

Frictional forces oppose the motion of an object, often causing it to slow down or stop.

Front

What is the role of gravity in balanced forces?

Back

Gravity pulls objects downward, and when it is balanced by an equal upward force, the object remains stationary.

Front

Can a moving object have balanced forces acting on it?

Back

Yes, a moving object can have balanced forces if it is moving at a constant speed in a straight line.

Front

What is an example of a situation with unbalanced forces?

Back

A car accelerating from a stoplight experiences unbalanced forces as the engine's force exceeds the frictional force.