What is unbalanced force?

An unbalanced force is a net force that is not equal to zero. This means that the forces acting on an object are not perfectly canceling each other out. Here's a breakdown of key aspects:

• Effect on Motion: An unbalanced force always causes a change in an object's motion. This change can be a change in speed (faster or slower), a change in direction, or both. If an object is at rest and an unbalanced force acts on it, it will start moving.

• Newton's Second Law: This is directly related to Newton's Second Law of Motion (F = ma), which states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. An unbalanced force produces acceleration. A balanced force (net force of zero) results in no acceleration (constant velocity or rest).

• Examples:

  • Pushing a box across the floor: You are applying a force greater than the force of friction, resulting in an unbalanced force and the box accelerating.
  • A car accelerating: The engine's force is greater than the forces of friction and air resistance, creating an unbalanced force and causing acceleration.
  • A ball falling: The force of gravity is greater than air resistance (unless it's a very light object with a large surface area), leading to an unbalanced force and the ball accelerating downwards.
  • A hockey puck sliding to a stop: Friction is an unbalanced force acting against the puck's motion, causing it to decelerate.

• Balanced vs. Unbalanced: The key distinction is that balanced forces result in no change in motion (constant velocity), while unbalanced forces always result in a change in motion (acceleration).

In short, any time you see an object accelerating, decelerating, changing direction, or starting/stopping motion, you know there's an unbalanced force at play.