Resultant Forces
Science · Forces & Motion · conceptual
Describe forces as vector quantities with both magnitude and direction, distinguish between balanced forces (zero resultant, no change in motion) and unbalanced forces (non-zero resultant, causes acceleration or deceleration)
What mastery looks like
- Explains what a vector quantity is and why force is a vector
- Calculates the resultant force when two forces act in the same or opposite directions on an object
- Explains what happens to an object's motion when forces are balanced vs unbalanced
- Draws free body diagrams showing all forces on a stationary object (e.g. a book on a table)
Check your understanding
If Resultant Forces was pushing a heavy box along the floor but it wasn't moving, could they explain all the forces acting on it and why it stays still even though you're pushing?