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Forces Balanced and Unbalanced

The document outlines the concepts of force, including its definition, measurement, and the distinction between balanced and unbalanced forces. It explains how to calculate net force when combining forces in the same or opposite directions, as well as at right angles using the Pythagorean theorem. Additionally, it emphasizes the effects of balanced forces (no acceleration) versus unbalanced forces (causing acceleration).

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daissery.licop
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2 views

Forces Balanced and Unbalanced

The document outlines the concepts of force, including its definition, measurement, and the distinction between balanced and unbalanced forces. It explains how to calculate net force when combining forces in the same or opposite directions, as well as at right angles using the Pythagorean theorem. Additionally, it emphasizes the effects of balanced forces (no acceleration) versus unbalanced forces (causing acceleration).

Uploaded by

daissery.licop
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Learning Objectives

• I can recognize forces that affect the


motion of matter.
• I can compare balanced and
unbalanced forces.
• I can determine the net force on an
object.
What is a force?

• 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

• If an object is stationary, it won’t start moving


without a force.
Force
• Forces come in pairs
• Forces have a magnitude and a direction
• Force is a vector quantity

Magnitude: 5N
5N, north (up)
Direction: north (up)
Force Measurement and Units
• SI unit for force is the Newton
• A Newton is a force that causes a 1kg mass
to accelerate at a rate of 1m/s/s.
• 1 N (Newton) = 1 kg * m/s/s
• We use a spring scale to measure force.
Combining Forces
• Net Force – The overall force acting on an
object after all forces are combined.
- Forces in the same direction we add them.
10N 10N Net Force = 20N
+ =
10N 7N Net Force = 3N
- Forces in opposite directions
= you subtract
them. -
Forces in the Same Direction

• When forces are applied in the same


direction, they are added to determine the
size of the net force.
Forces in Different Directions

• When two forces act in opposite directions, you subtract


the smaller force from the larger force to determine the
net force.
• The net force will be in the same direction as the larger
force.
Combining Forces at Right Angles
• Use the Pythagorean Theorem.
- a2 + b2 = c2.
- Can only use if adding only 2 vectors that
make a right angle.
hy
po c
ten
b us
e

a
Combining Forces at Right Angles
• Use the Pythagorean Theorem - a2 + b2 = c2.
- ex. What is the resultant force if you have a
force 3N South and another force 4N West and show
the diagram. a2 + b 2 = c 2
4N West c2 = 4 2 + 3 2
c2 = 16 + 9
3N c2 = 25
South =
5N
South c = 5 N SW
West
2. Draw the following vectors. Use the
cardinal (geographical) direction. (By writing
convention, the North is upward, the South
is downward, the East is directed to the
right, and the West is directed to the left.)
a. 10 units North
b. 5 units East
c. 7 units West
d. 15 units South
e. 20 units North
Draw the following
vectors. Use the cardinal
(geographical) direction.

a. 10 units North
b. 5 units East
c. 7 units West
d. 15 units South
e. 20 units North
Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

• Forces occur in pairs and they can be


either balanced or unbalanced
Balanced Forces: The forces in each
direction are “equal”.
 If more than one force is present, it does not have
to cause an acceleration on an object.

 If another force “balances” the first out, there will


be no acceleration at all.

Think: If both guys (who weight the same)


pull on a rope in opposite directions, with
an equal amount of force, how much will they move?
Balanced Forces
• Balanced forces do not cause a change in motion
• They are equal in size and opposite in direction
• The net force is 0
Example:

Ground pushes up

Gravity pulls down on you… Gravity pulls down

The ground pushes back up…


If these football players push
on each other equally as hard,
THIS KEEPS YOU WHERE YOU will either one move?
More Balanced Forces…
5N 5N

5N 5N

Forces may cancel each other and


produce no movement
=No Acceleration!
“Unbalanced” Forces
If the multiple forces
acting at one time
are not balanced out
(equal), then
acceleration can/will
occur on the object!

Kicking the ball causes it to move


quickly in a different direction
If one side of the scale has more mass,
then gravity will accelerate it down!
Unbalanced Forces
• An unbalanced force always causes a change in motion
• The net force is greater than 0

• When unbalanced forces act in opposite directions you


can find the net force
– Net force
• Magnitude
– The difference between the two forces

• Direction
– Direction of the largest 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


Multiple forces can combine to move an object
Unbalanced Forces
that has too much inertia for one force alone. The
Cause Acceleration
forces “add together”!
Adding Forces:

What you5Njust
saw was like
two people Random Object
pushing on the
same 5 N
box.

Notice that all the new forces are pointed in the


same direction, and they add together! So,
instead of only 5N of force pushing the object;
now there are 10 N of force pushing!

All by himself, one person might not be able to


push a car. But with extra friends pushing, it
becomes much easier! The forces add together.
Unbalanced Forces
If forces are not equal and are acting in opposite
directions, a negative acceleration can/will occur. The
Cause Acceleration
forces will subtract from each other!
Subtracting Forces:

5N
Object 5N
5N

Notice that the forces are “unequal” and


pointed in the opposite direction. So they are
“unbalanced” and work against each other –
or one partially cancels the other.

The end result is that the forces on the left


are slowed down by the single force on the right
Review Balanced Forces

Balanced No
10N 10N
Push Acceleration Net Force =
i.e. Pushing a or change in 0
Car motion

Balanced No
Acceleration or Net Force =
10N 10N Pull
change in 0
i.e. Tug-o-war motion
Review Un-Balanced Forces
Add Together
Un-Balanced
10N Faster Net Force >
10N Same 0
Acceleration
Direction

Subtract from each


other
Un-Balanced
10N Slower Net Force >
10N
10N Opposite 0
Acceleration
Direction

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