Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

A lot of people think that balanced means not moving and unbalanced means moving. THIS IS NOT TRUE!!! When talking about the forces acting on an object, an object can have balanced forces acting on it and be in motion. When thinking about balanced and unbalanced forces, you should think about whether the motion of the object is changing.

If the forces acting on an object are balanced, it will remain at rest or moving at a constant speed. Constant speed means the object is moving, but not speeding up or slowing down. If the forces acting on an object are unbalanced, it will speed up, slow down or change direction.

• I don't get it.

• GOT IT!

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NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Are the forces acting on the objects balanced or unbalanced? The dog is walking on the treadmill on level 3.

• balanced

• unbalanced

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NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Are the forcing acting on the object balanced or unbalanced? The car is drifting.

• balanced

• unbalanced

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NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Are the forcing acting on the object balanced or unbalanced? The squirrel is spinning.

• balanced

• unbalanced

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NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Are the forces acting on the objects balanced or unbalanced? The truck takes a while to come to a complete stop.

• balanced

• unbalanced

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NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Are the forces acting on the object balanced or unbalanced? Arnold and Helga take off from the start line

• balanced

• unbalanced

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NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Are the forces acting on the object balanced or unbalanced? Mario is running fast but STEADY. His speed is 10 mi/hr.

• balanced

• unbalanced

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NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Are the forces acting on the objects balanced or unbalanced? The hamster is maintaining his position on the wheel.

• balanced

• unbalanced

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NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Are the forces acting on the objects balanced or unbalanced? The cat and the mouse go from looking at each other to a chase.

• balanced

• unbalanced

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NGSS.MS-PS2-1

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

In order to maintain this position the forces acting on the gymnast must be __________.

• balanced

• unbalanced

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NGSS.MS-PS2-1

NGSS.MS-PS2-2