Net forces acting on an object can be balanced or unbalanced.
Balanced Forces
Balanced forces will cause no change in the speed of an object.
- Balanced forces are equal in strength and opposite in direction resulting in no change in motion of an object.
- Objects that are not moving will not start moving if acted on by balanced forces.
- Objects in motion can be balanced. Balanced objects result in no change in motion.
For example, in arm wrestling where there is no winner, the force exerted by each person is equal, but they are pushing in opposite directions. The resulting force (net force) is zero. |
Or, in a tug of war, if there is no movement in the rope, the two teams are exerting equal, but opposite forces that are balanced. Again, the resulting force (net force) is zero. |
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Topic Tips
- Balanced forces are equal in strength and opposite in direction resulting in no change in motion of an object.