Balanced and Unbalanced Forces What is a force

Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

What is a force? n A force is an action exerted on an object to change its state of rest or motion n A force is a push or pull that causes an object to move, stop, or change direction n In physics a force is anything that makes an object accelerate

Force n n Forces come in pairs Forces have a magnitude and a direction 5 N, north (up) Magnitude: 5 N Direction: north (up)

Net Force n n Whenever there is a net force that acts on an object, the object accelerates in the direction of the net force No acceleration if the net force is zero

Balanced and Unbalanced Forces n Forces occur in pairs and they can be either balanced or unbalanced

Balanced Forces n n n Balanced forces do not cause change in motion Forces applied to an object produce a net force of zero They are equal in size and opposite in direction

Unbalanced Forces n n An unbalanced force always causes a change in motion When the net force acting on an object is greater than zero ex. 2 students push on one side of a desk and only one pushes on the other side When unbalanced forces act in opposite directions you can find the net force

Unbalanced Forces 3 N, right – 6 N, left = 3 N, left

Unbalanced Forces 4 N, left – 10 N, right = 6 N, right

Unbalanced Forces 5 N, right + 10 N, right =15 N, right