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6.7B POST Test Balanced and Unbalanced forces - Printable Science Worksheets year 8 - Wayground

6.7B POST Test Balanced and Unbalanced forces

6 questions

8th - 8th Grade

Science

This Grade 8 science worksheet, 6.7B POST Test Balanced and Unbalanced Forces, assesses how students analyze balanced and unbalanced forces and determine net force. Across six items, students interpret force diagrams, identify whether vertical forces are balanced, compare carts with equal net forces, and reason about how changing team members affects equilibrium. The worksheet also includes a multiple-select item, four multiple-choice questions, and a math-response item requiring students to determine a downward force when an object is stationary. Students apply force addition and subtraction, account for direction, and distinguish a zero net force from a nonzero net force. The horse-pulling problem extends this reasoning to opposite forces and requires students to calculate an unknown force from a stated net force. Designed for Grade 8 science instruction or post-assessment, this free printable worksheet gives teachers a focused way to check students’ ability to interpret force situations and justify numerical results. It includes a complete answer key for efficient review and grading.

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6.7B POST Test Balanced and Unbalanced forces

Total questions: 6

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which of the following statements is true about the net force on the object in the diagram?

a)

. The vertical net force is 0 N; the horizontal net force is 65 N to the right. 

b)

. The vertical net force is 0 N; the horizontal net force is 65 N to the left

c)

. The vertical net force is 65 N to the left; the horizontal net force is 0 N. 

d)

The vertical net force is 65 N to the right; the horizontal net force is 0 N.

2.

Which two statements are true about the forces acting on the acorn?

a)

. The vertical forces are balanced, and the net force is 45 N down

b)

The vertical forces are unbalanced, and the net force is 85 N down.

c)

. The vertical forces are unbalanced. 

d)

The vertical forces are balanced.

e)

The net force is 40 N down.

3.

Which two carts experience the same net force?

a)

Carts 1 and 2

b)

Carts 1 and 3

c)

Carts 2 and 3

d)

Carts 2 and 4

4.

There is a teacher on each team who pulls with a force of 140 N. Each classmate pulls with a force of 35 N. Which statement below describes how the team members be changed to make the forces between Team 1 and Team 2 balanced?  

a)

Add two classmates on Team 1. 

b)

Add an additional classmate on Team 2.

c)

Remove the teacher from Team 1 and replace him with two classmates. 

d)

Remove the teacher from Team 2 and replace her with three classmates

5.

Label the force acting downward (in newtons) if the fan is not moving up or down because the forces are balanced. Enter your answer in the space below.

6.

Two horses pull in opposite directions but together move in the direction shown. Horse 1 pulls with a force of 1560 N. If the net force is 117 N, which of the following measurements must be the force applied by Horse 2? 

a)

1443 N

b)

. 1677 N

c)

. 1562 N 

d)

. 1560 N 

Answer Key

6.7B POST Test Balanced and Unbalanced forces

Total questions: 6

1.
a)

. The vertical net force is 0 N; the horizontal net force is 65 N to the right. 

2.
c)

. The vertical forces are unbalanced. 

, e)

The net force is 40 N down.

3.
c)

Carts 2 and 3

4.
d)

Remove the teacher from Team 2 and replace her with three classmates

5.

220220

6.
b)

. 1677 N

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FAQs

What does this balanced and unbalanced forces worksheet cover?

This Grade 8 worksheet covers identifying balanced and unbalanced forces and calculating net force from force diagrams and word problems. Its four multiple-choice questions, multiple-select question, and math-response item ask students to compare force directions and magnitudes, identify equal net forces, determine how forces can be balanced, and solve for an unknown force.

How can I use this worksheet to teach students about balanced and unbalanced forces?

Introduce the worksheet by having students identify each force’s direction and magnitude before deciding whether the forces balance. Then use the diagram-based items to model vertical and horizontal net-force calculations, the team-pulling problem to discuss how changing force amounts affects equilibrium, and the horse problem to show how opposite forces determine an unknown magnitude. Have students explain why a stationary object can have balanced forces rather than no forces.

What mistakes should I watch for when students complete this forces worksheet?

Watch for students combining force magnitudes without considering direction, especially when calculating horizontal or vertical net force. In the multiple-select item, students may choose only that the vertical forces are unbalanced and overlook the separate statement giving the net force; in the cart and team problems, they may compare individual forces instead of comparing the resulting net forces. Students may also add opposite horse forces when they should use the stated direction and net-force relationship.

How do I assign and grade this balanced and unbalanced forces worksheet?

You can assign this worksheet as a printable PDF or as a digital quiz on Wayground. It includes a complete answer key for the six questions, including the multiple-select and math-response items. For printable submissions, scan student work with the Wayground for Teachers app to grade responses efficiently.

How can I differentiate this forces worksheet for my students?

Use the worksheet’s Advanced Settings to adjust font spacing and font size so the force diagrams, answer choices, and numerical calculations are easier to read. You can also apply a dyslexia-friendly font or translate the worksheet into another language when those options support access to the force-analysis tasks.

Where can I find more worksheets like this on Wayground?

Wayground offers a broad collection of free printable worksheets and practice problems across all subjects, with downloadable PDFs and answer keys to help students master essential skills and concepts. Browse more resources at https://wayground.com/en-us/worksheets.

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