Balanced & Unbalanced Forces

Front

What are balanced forces?

Back

Balanced forces are forces that are equal in size and opposite in direction. They do not cause a change in motion.

Front

What are unbalanced forces?

Back

Unbalanced forces are forces that are not equal in size or opposite in direction. They cause an object to move or change its motion.

Front

What happens when forces are balanced?

Back

When forces are balanced, an 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, an object will accelerate, meaning it will speed up, slow down, or change direction.

Front

What is a force?

Back

A force is a push or pull that can cause an object to move, stop, or change direction.

Front

What does the strength of a force refer to?

Back

The strength of a force refers to how strong the push or pull is, often measured in newtons.

Front

What is the direction of a force?

Back

The direction of a force is the way in which the force is applied, such as up, down, left, or right.

Front

Can you give an example of balanced forces?

Back

An example of balanced forces is a book resting on a table. The force of gravity pulling it down is balanced by the table pushing it up.

Front

Can you give an example of unbalanced forces?

Back

An example of unbalanced forces is when a person pushes a shopping cart. The force of the push is greater than the friction, causing the cart to move.

Front

What role does gravity play in motion?

Back

Gravity is a force that pulls objects toward each other, like the Earth pulling us down, which affects how things move.