Unit 3A Physics

8.6B Balanced and Unbalanced Forces and F=MA

Balanced &
Unbalanced
Forces
What is a FORCE?
PUSH PULL

OBJECT

● 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 or change its motion
 Balanced Forces
● Do NOT cause a change in motion
● Can be equal in size and opposite in
direction
● Net Force= ZERO
● NO change in motion
● The object is at rest or moving at a
constant speed in a straight line.
Unbalanced Forces
•When the net force applied to an
object does not equal zero, the
forces are unbalanced.
• Unbalanced forces cause changes
in the speed and/or direction of an
object's motion.
Acceleration occurs only when an
unbalanced net force acts on an
object.
Balanced Forces Example:
The cup is resting on the table. It Gravity
is not moving, therefore the
forces must be balanced.

Which forces are acting on the

vase?

What are some examples you can

name from around the room?
Table’s Upward
Force
Unbalanced Forces
Example:
When two forces are acting on
an object and are not equal in
size, we say the forces are
unbalanced.
Unbalanced forces cause a
change in motion by changing What are some examples of
the object’s speed or direction. unbalanced forces?
Unbalanced Forces
*Remember* There is a CHANGE in motion

Moving in the Moving in DIFFERENT directions

SAME direction

ADD Forces Together SUBTRACT the forces to get the net force
 Practice- Unbalanced Forces

1. 2.

Net Force = _____ Net Force = _____

Direction= _________ Direction= _________

Net 1. 15 N 10 N
2. 12 N 11 N

Force Add or Subtract? Add or Subtract?

Practice Net Force = _____

Direction= _________
Net Force= ______
Direction= ________

4. 12 N 15 N
3. 18 N 12 N

Add or Subtract? Add or Subtract?

Net Force = _____ Net Force = _____
Direction= ___________ Direction=__________
Net 1. 15 N 10 N
2. 12 N 11 N

Force Add or Subtract? Add or Subtract?

Practice Net Force = 25 N

Direction= RIght
Net Force= 23 N
Direction= Left

3. 12 N 15 N
4. 18 N 12 N

Add or Subtract? Add or Subtract?

Net Force = 3 N Net Force = 6 N
Direction= Right Direction= Right
Force = Mass x Acceleration
F= ma
Calculating Force
Formula→ F= MA
Calculating Force
Formula→ F= MA
Calculating Force
Formula→ F= MA