3.2.3

Balanced Forces

Test yourself

Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

Forces can be balanced and unbalanced. An unbalanced force will cause a change in motion.

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Balanced forces

  • Balanced forces are equal in size and act in opposite directions.
  • If a stationary object has balanced forces, the object will remain at rest.
  • If a moving object has balanced forces it will move at a constant speed in the same direction.
  • In both of these scenarios, the resultant force will be zero.
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Unbalanced forces

  • Unbalanced forces are not equal in size.
  • Unbalanced forces cause a change in motion.
  • If an object is stationary, it will start to move off.
  • If an object is already moving, it will change its speed.

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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