Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

Front

What are balanced forces?

Back

Balanced forces are two or more forces acting on an object that cancel each other out, resulting in no change in motion.

Front

What are unbalanced forces?

Back

Unbalanced forces are forces that do not cancel each other out, causing an object to change its motion.

Front

Example of balanced forces: A birdhouse hanging on a tree. Why is it balanced?

Back

The weight of the birdhouse is equal to the upward force of the tree branch, resulting in no movement.

Front

Example of unbalanced forces: Peaches falling off a tree. Why is it unbalanced?

Back

The force of gravity acting on the peaches is greater than any upward force, causing them to fall.

Front

What happens when forces are balanced?

Back

When forces are balanced, the object remains at rest or continues to move at a constant speed in a straight line.

Front

What happens when forces are unbalanced?

Back

When forces are unbalanced, the object accelerates in the direction of the net force.

Front

Example of balanced forces: A dog pulling on a dog toy with you and it’s a tie. Why is it balanced?

Back

Both the dog and the person are pulling with equal force, resulting in no movement.

Front

Example of unbalanced forces: A person pushing a shopping cart. Why is it unbalanced?

Back

The person is applying a force greater than the frictional force, causing the cart to move.

Front

What is the net force?

Back

The net force is the overall force acting on an object after all the individual forces are combined.

Front

How do you calculate net force?

Back

To calculate net force, add all the forces acting in one direction and subtract the forces acting in the opposite direction.