Balanced and Unbalanced

Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

Balanced Force

​What is a balanced force?

Balanced forces occur when the sum of all forces acting on an object is zero. The forces are equal in magnitude(size; how much of a quantity) but act in opposite directions, canceling each other out. When balanced forces act on an object, the object will either remain stationary or move at a constant speed.

​Unbalance Forces

​Unbalanced forces are forces that act on an object and are not equal in magnitude or direction, or both. The net force of unbalanced forces is not equal to zero, which causes the object to change its state of motion, accelerate, or move in a different direction. For example, if you push a book on a table, the book will move forward because of the unbalanced force.

Categorize

Options (13)

Book sitting on a desk

Tug of war and Team A wins.

Child pushing a swing

Book sliding off a desk

A dog pulling on a dog toy with you and it’s a tie.

A hammer coming down on a nail

Car accelerating on a slippery road

Box falling off a shelf

Two people pushing a heavy box together

A person standing still on the ground

A seesaw with equal weight on both sides

A ball rolling at a constant speed on a flat surface

A kite flying steadily in the sky

Organize these options into the right categories

Balanced Forces

Unbalanced Forces

​

​When two or more forces act on an object, the forces combine together and the resulting force is called the NET FORCE.

​80 N

​Balanced Forces: are equal and opposite. The net force is zero.

​80 N

​

Unbalanced Forces are unequal or in different directions. The net force is not zero.

​80 N 40N

​ When forces are balanced and opposite the net force is 0.

​When forces are unbalanced and working in the opposite direction, you find the DIFFERENCE. What is the net force? Which way will the object move?

Multiple Choice

What is the net force? What direction will the object move?

• The net force is 70 N. The object will move left.

• The net force is 50 N. The object will move right.

• The net force is 50 N, and it will move left.

• The net force is 70 N, and it will move right.

Multiple Choice

What is the net force? Which way will the object move?

• The net force is 6 N. The object will move left.

• The net force is 6 N. The object will not move.

• The net force is 0. The object will not move.

• The net force is 0. The object will move to the left.