What is unbalanced force?
– a force that is in the same direction as the motion
– a force that is not canceled out by other forces
– a force that is canceled out by other forces
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
– a force that is not canceled out by other forces
Explanation (300 words):
An unbalanced force refers to a situation in which the total (or net) force acting on an object is not equal to zero. This happens when the forces acting on an object do not cancel each other out, resulting in a change in the object’s motion—such as a change in speed, direction, or both. This is a key principle described by Newton’s First Law of Motion, which states that an object will remain at rest or move at constant velocity unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
To understand this better, imagine pushing a box on a floor. If you push it with a force of 10 newtons and friction pushes back with 10 newtons, the forces are balanced, and the box does not accelerate. However, if you push with 15 newtons and friction only pushes back with 10 newtons, there is a net force of 5 newtons, and the box will accelerate—this is the result of an unbalanced force.
Unbalanced forces are responsible for starting motion, stopping motion, or changing the direction of motion. In contrast, balanced forces do not change an object’s state of motion—they keep a stationary object at rest or a moving object at constant speed in a straight line.
The other answer choices are incorrect because:
- “A force that is in the same direction as the motion” describes the direction of force, not whether it is balanced or not.
- “A force that is canceled out by other forces” defines a balanced force, not an unbalanced one.
In summary, an unbalanced force causes changes in motion and is a fundamental concept in understanding dynamics and motion in physics.