CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 8 UNIT 3: FORCES AND ENERGY

Name ___________________________________ Date _____________

Worksheet 3.1
Effect of balanced and unbalanced forces
In this activity, you will make and explain predictions about the effect of balanced and unbalanced forces.
Decide whether each of these statements is correct or incorrect.
If a statement is correct, put a tick () after the statement.
If a statement is incorrect, put a cross () after the statement.
Then give a reason for each of your decisions.
1 An object is not moving. There can be forces acting on the object.
Reason:

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________
2 An object is moving at a constant speed in a straight line.
There must be an unbalanced force making the object move.
Reason:

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________
3 An object is moving at a constant speed in a circle.
There must be an unbalanced force acting on the object.
Reason:

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________
4 A car is getting faster in a straight line. There must be balanced forces acting on the car.
Reason:

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Cambridge Lower Secondary Science 8 – Mary Jones, Diane Fellowes-Freeman and Michael Smyth © Cambridge University Press 2021 1
 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 8 UNIT 3: FORCES AND ENERGY

Worksheet 3.1
Effect of balanced and unbalanced forces
Additional notes
Remember these facts about balanced forces:
• If an object is not moving and there are forces acting, then these must be balanced.
• If an object is moving at a constant speed and in a straight line and there are forces acting, then these
must be balanced.
Remember these facts about unbalanced forces:
• If an object is changing speed (getting faster or slower), there must be unbalanced forces acting.
• If an object is changing direction (moving in a circle or along a curved path) there must be
unbalanced forces acting.
As you read each question, think about which of these facts applies to the object.

Cambridge Lower Secondary Science 8 – Mary Jones, Diane Fellowes-Freeman and Michael Smyth © Cambridge University Press 2021 2
 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 8 UNIT 3: FORCES AND ENERGY

Name ___________________________________ Date _____________

Worksheet 3.1
Effect of balanced and unbalanced forces
Extension
For questions 1–3, think of a real example of the object, then complete these sentences.

In question 1, the object could be _________________________________________________________

In question 2, the object could be _________________________________________________________

In question 3, the object could be _________________________________________________________

For questions 1–4, draw a labelled force diagram to show:
• the direction of the forces acting
• the relative sizes of the forces acting (whether they are bigger, smaller or the same size)
• why the forces are balanced or unbalanced.

1 2

3 4

Cambridge Lower Secondary Science 8 – Mary Jones, Diane Fellowes-Freeman and Michael Smyth © Cambridge University Press 2021 3
 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 8 UNIT 3: FORCES AND ENERGY

Name ___________________________________ Date _____________

Worksheet 3.2A
Calculating speed, distance and time
In this activity, you will use the equation that links speed, distance and time to make calculations.
In each question, show your working.
1 Calculate the speed of each of these objects.
Use the equation:
distance
speed 
time
a A runner who travels a distance of 200 m in a time of 40 s.

____________________ m/s
b A worm that travels a distance of 1 m in a time of 100 s.

____________________ m/s
c An aeroplane that travels a distance of 160 m in a time of 0.8 s.

____________________ m/s
d A train that travels a distance of 50 km in a time of 0.5 hours.

____________________ km/h
2 In these questions, use the equation distance = speed × time.

Cambridge Lower Secondary Science 8 – Mary Jones, Diane Fellowes-Freeman and Michael Smyth © Cambridge University Press 2021 4
 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 8 UNIT 3: FORCES AND ENERGY

a A bird flies at a constant speed of 15 m/s.

Calculate the distance travelled by the bird in 30 s.

____________________ m
b A train travels at a constant speed of 45 km/h.

Calculate the distance travelled by the train in 2 hours.

____________________ km
3 In these questions, use the equation:
distance
time 
speed
a An aeroplane flies at a constant speed of 250 m/s.
Calculate the time taken for the aeroplane to fly a distance of 2500 m.

____________________ s
b A person walks at a constant speed of 2 m/s.
Calculate the time taken for the person to walk a distance of 300 m.

____________________ m
c A boat sails at a constant speed of 26 km/h.
Calculate the time taken for the boat to sail for a distance of 39 km.

____________________ hours

Cambridge Lower Secondary Science 8 – Mary Jones, Diane Fellowes-Freeman and Michael Smyth © Cambridge University Press 2021 5
 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 8 UNIT 3: FORCES AND ENERGY

Name ___________________________________ Date _____________

Worksheet 3.2B
Calculating speed, distance and time
In this activity, you will use the equation that links speed, distance and time to make calculations.
In each question, show your working.
1 Calculate the speed of each of these objects.
a A runner who travels a distance of 200 m in a time of 40 s.

____________________ m/s
b A worm that travels a distance of 1 m in a time of 100 s.

____________________ m/s
c An aeroplane that travels a distance of 160 m in a time of 0.8 s.

____________________ m/s
d A train that travels a distance of 50 km in a time of 0.5 hours.

____________________ km/h

Cambridge Lower Secondary Science 8 – Mary Jones, Diane Fellowes-Freeman and Michael Smyth © Cambridge University Press 2021 6
 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 8 UNIT 3: FORCES AND ENERGY

2 a A bird flies at a constant speed of 15 m/s. Calculate the distance travelled by the bird in 30 s.

____________________ m
b A train travels at a constant speed of 45 km/h.
Calculate the distance travelled by the train in 2 hours.

____________________ km
3 a An aeroplane flies at a constant speed of 250 m/s.
Calculate the time taken for the aeroplane to fly a distance of 2500 m.

____________________ s
b A person walks at a constant speed of 2 m/s.
Calculate the time taken for the person to walk a distance of 300 m.

____________________ m
c A boat sails at a constant speed of 26 km/h.
Calculate the time taken for the boat to sail for a distance of 39 km.

____________________ hours

Cambridge Lower Secondary Science 8 – Mary Jones, Diane Fellowes-Freeman and Michael Smyth © Cambridge University Press 2021 7
 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 8 UNIT 3: FORCES AND ENERGY

Name ___________________________________ Date _____________

Worksheet 3.2C
Calculating speed, distance and time
In this activity, you will use the equation that links speed, distance and time to make calculations.
In each question, show your working and give the unit.
1 Calculate the speed of each of these objects.
a A runner who travels a distance of 200 m in a time of 40 s.

answer: ____________________
b A worm that travels a distance of 1 m in a time of 100 s.

answer: ____________________
c An aeroplane that travels a distance of 160 m in a time of 0.8 s.

answer: ____________________
d A train that travels a distance of 50 km in a time of 0.5 hours.

answer: ____________________

Cambridge Lower Secondary Science 8 – Mary Jones, Diane Fellowes-Freeman and Michael Smyth © Cambridge University Press 2021 8
 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 8 UNIT 3: FORCES AND ENERGY

2 a A bird flies at a constant speed of 15 m/s. Calculate the distance travelled by the bird in 30 s.

answer: ____________________
b A train travels at a constant speed of 45 km/h. Calculate the distance travelled by the
train in 2 hours.

answer: ____________________
3 a An aeroplane flies at a constant speed of 250 m/s. Calculate the time taken for the aeroplane
to fly a distance of 2500 m.

answer: ____________________
b A person walks at a constant speed of 2 m/s. Calculate the time taken for the person
to walk a distance of 300 m.

answer: ____________________
c A boat sails at a constant speed of 26 km/h. Calculate the time taken for the boat to sail
for a distance of 39 km.

answer: ____________________

Cambridge Lower Secondary Science 8 – Mary Jones, Diane Fellowes-Freeman and Michael Smyth © Cambridge University Press 2021 9
 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 8 UNIT 3: FORCES AND ENERGY

Name ___________________________________ Date _____________

Worksheet 3.4A
Forces for turning
In this activity, you will make calculations about moments. In each question, show your working.
1 Calculate the moments caused by these forces.
Use the equation moment = force × distance.
a A force of 20 N acts at a distance of 2 m from a pivot.

____________________ Nm
b A force of 4 N acts at a distance of 10 cm from a pivot.

____________________ Ncm
c A force of 0.1 N acts at a distance of 1.5 cm from a pivot.

____________________ Ncm

Cambridge Lower Secondary Science 8 – Mary Jones, Diane Fellowes-Freeman and Michael Smyth © Cambridge University Press 2021 10
 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 8 UNIT 3: FORCES AND ENERGY

Read this fact before answering the questions.

A system is balanced when the moments on both sides are equal and opposite.

2 A box has a weight of 36 N. The box is placed on a lever at a distance of 0.75 m from the pivot.

a Calculate the moment caused by the box on the lever.

Use the equation moment = force × distance.

____________________ N m
b Another box has a weight of 27 N.
If this box is placed on the other side of the pivot, the lever can be balanced.
Calculate the distance from the pivot where the 27 N box should be placed to balance the lever.
Use the equation
moment
distance 
force
The moment is your answer from a and the force is the weight of this box.

____________________ m

Cambridge Lower Secondary Science 8 – Mary Jones, Diane Fellowes-Freeman and Michael Smyth © Cambridge University Press 2021 11
 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 8 UNIT 3: FORCES AND ENERGY

3 A lever can be used to weigh objects.

A load of 200 N is placed on a lever at a distance of 1.5 m from the pivot.
a Calculate the moment caused by this load.
Use the equation moment = force × distance.

____________________ N m
b A rock is placed on the lever on the opposite side of the pivot.

The rock is at a distance of 0.8 m from the pivot when the lever is balanced.
Calculate the weight of the rock.
Use the equation:
moment
distance 
force
The moment is your answer from a and the force is the weight of the rock.
Show your working and give the unit. Remember weight is a force, so the unit of weight
is the same as the unit of force.

answer: ____________________

Cambridge Lower Secondary Science 8 – Mary Jones, Diane Fellowes-Freeman and Michael Smyth © Cambridge University Press 2021 12
 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 8 UNIT 3: FORCES AND ENERGY

Name ___________________________________ Date _____________

Worksheet 3.4B
Forces for turning
In this activity, you will make calculations about moments. In each question, show your working
and give the unit.
1 Calculate the moments caused by these forces.
a A force of 20 N acts at a distance of 2 m from a pivot.

____________________ N m
b A force of 4 N acts at a distance of 10 cm from a pivot.

____________________ N cm
c A force of 0.1 N acts at a distance of 1.5 cm from a pivot.

____________________ N cm

Cambridge Lower Secondary Science 8 – Mary Jones, Diane Fellowes-Freeman and Michael Smyth © Cambridge University Press 2021 13
 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 8 UNIT 3: FORCES AND ENERGY

Read this fact before answering the questions.

A system is balanced when the moments on both sides are equal and opposite.

2 A box has a weight of 36 N. The box is placed on a lever at a distance of 0.75 m from the pivot.

a Calculate the moment caused by the box on the lever.

____________________ N m
b Another box has a weight of 27 N.
If this box is placed on the other side of the pivot, the lever can be balanced.
Calculate the distance from the pivot where the 27 N box should be placed to balance the lever.

____________________ m

Cambridge Lower Secondary Science 8 – Mary Jones, Diane Fellowes-Freeman and Michael Smyth © Cambridge University Press 2021 14
 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 8 UNIT 3: FORCES AND ENERGY

3 A lever can be used to weigh objects.

A load of 200 N is placed on a lever at a distance of 1.5 m from the pivot.
a Calculate the moment caused by the 200 N load.

____________________ N m
b A rock is placed on the lever on the opposite side of the pivot.
The rock is at a distance of 0.8 m from the pivot when the lever is balanced.
Calculate the weight of the rock.
Remember that the moment caused by the rock must be the same as your answer to part
a for the lever to be balanced.

answer: ____________________

Cambridge Lower Secondary Science 8 – Mary Jones, Diane Fellowes-Freeman and Michael Smyth © Cambridge University Press 2021 15
 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 8 UNIT 3: FORCES AND ENERGY

Name ___________________________________ Date _____________

Worksheet 3.4C
Forces for turning
In this activity, you will make calculations about moments. In each question, show your working
and give the unit.
1 Calculate the moments caused by these forces.
a A force of 20 N acts at a distance of 2 m from a pivot.

answer: ____________________
b A force of 4 N acts at a distance of 10 cm from a pivot.

answer: ____________________
c A force of 0.1 N acts at a distance of 1.5 cm from a pivot.

answer: ____________________

Cambridge Lower Secondary Science 8 – Mary Jones, Diane Fellowes-Freeman and Michael Smyth © Cambridge University Press 2021 16
 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 8 UNIT 3: FORCES AND ENERGY

2 A box has a weight of 36 N. The box is placed on a lever at a distance of 0.75 m from the pivot.

a Calculate the moment caused by the box on the lever.

____________________ N m
b Another box has a weight of 27 N.
If this box is placed on the other side of the pivot, the lever can be balanced.
Calculate the distance from the pivot where the 27 N box should be placed to balance the lever.

____________________ m
3 A lever can be used to weigh objects.
A load of 200 N is placed on a lever at a distance of 1.5 m from the pivot.
A rock is placed on the lever on the opposite side of the pivot.
The rock is at a distance of 0.8 m from the pivot when the lever is balanced.
Calculate the weight of the rock.

answer: ____________________

Cambridge Lower Secondary Science 8 – Mary Jones, Diane Fellowes-Freeman and Michael Smyth © Cambridge University Press 2021 17