Learn the difference between balanced and unbalanced forces with simple examples and explanations, perfect for 13-year-old students studying basic physics.
Forces are pushes or pulls that can make things move, stop, or change direction. Everything that happens around us involves forces in some way.
When two or more forces acting on an object are equal in size but opposite in direction, they are called balanced forces. Balanced forces cancel each other out, which means the object will not change its motion. If the object is still, it stays still. If it is moving, it keeps moving at the same speed and in the same direction.
Example: Imagine a tug-of-war where both teams pull with the exact same strength. Neither team wins, and the rope doesn’t move. The forces are balanced.
Unbalanced forces happen when the forces acting on an object are not equal. Because one force is stronger, the object will move, stop, or change direction.
Example: In tug-of-war, if one team pulls harder than the other, the rope will move toward the stronger team. The forces are unbalanced, so the object changes motion.