Balanced and Unbalanced Forces Pre-AP

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

What is net force?

Back

Net force is the sum of all forces acting on an object, determining its acceleration and direction of motion.

Front

If a cart is moving at a constant speed, what can we say about the forces acting on it?

Back

The forces acting on the cart are balanced.

Front

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

Back

The object will accelerate in the direction of the net force.

Front

In a tug of war, if one team pulls with a force of 200N and the other with 150N, what is the resultant force?

Back

The resultant force is 50N to the left.

Front

What is the effect of balanced forces on an object's motion?

Back

Balanced forces do not change the object's motion; it either remains at rest or continues to move at a constant speed.

Front

What is an example of unbalanced forces in everyday life?

Back

A car accelerating when the driver presses the gas pedal is an example of unbalanced forces.

Front

How do you calculate net force when two forces are acting in the same direction?

Back

Add the magnitudes of the forces together to find the net force.

Front

How do you calculate net force when two forces are acting in opposite directions?

Back

Subtract the smaller force from the larger force to find the net force.