Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

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

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

Net Force 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 Forces occur in pairs and they can be either balanced or unbalanced

Balanced Forces 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 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 = 3N, left

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

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