Part 1: Understanding Forces

1. What is a force?

2. Circle the correct definition of balanced forces:

Forces that are equal in size and opposite in direction

Forces that make objects move faster

Forces that only act downwards

Forces that are always strong

3. Circle the correct definition of unbalanced forces:

Forces that are equal and opposite

Forces that are not equal and opposite, causing acceleration

Forces that only work on heavy objects

Forces that cancel each other out

Part 2: Identifying Force Types

4. Look at each scenario below. Tick whether the forces are balanced or unbalanced:

a) A book sitting on a table

Balanced forces

Unbalanced forces

b) A car accelerating from a traffic light

Balanced forces

Unbalanced forces

c) A trolley moving at constant speed on a flat surface

Balanced forces

Unbalanced forces

d) A ball falling through the air

Balanced forces

Unbalanced forces

Part 3: Force Diagrams

5. Draw force arrows to show balanced forces acting on a stationary box. Label your arrows.

6. Draw force arrows to show unbalanced forces acting on a trolley rolling down a ramp. Label your arrows.

7. Match the force situations with their effects on motion:

1. Balanced forces

2. Unbalanced forces (net force right)

3. Unbalanced forces (net force down)

4. Equal push and pull forces

A. Object accelerates downward

B. Object stays at rest or moves at constant speed

C. Object accelerates to the right

D. No change in motion

Part 4: Predicting Motion

8. Fill in the blanks using the words: balanced, unbalanced, accelerate, constant, stationary

When forces acting on an object are _____________, the object will either remain _____________ or move at _____________ speed. When forces are _____________, the object will _____________ in the direction of the net force.

9. A trolley experiment shows the following results. Predict what will happen in each case:

a) Force pulling left: 5N, Force pulling right: 5N

Prediction: _________________________________________________

b) Force pulling left: 3N, Force pulling right: 8N

Prediction: _________________________________________________

c) Force pulling left: 10N, Force pulling right: 4N

Prediction: _________________________________________________

10. Explain why a book sitting on a desk doesn't fall through the desk, even though gravity is pulling it downward.

Part 5: Real-World Applications

11. Check all examples that show balanced forces:

A person standing still on the ground

A car braking to a stop

A picture hanging on a wall

A ball rolling down a hill

A tug-of-war with equal teams

A rocket launching into space

12. Describe one example of balanced forces and one example of unbalanced forces that you might observe at home or school:

Balanced forces example:

Unbalanced forces example:

13. Challenge: Explain what would happen to a trolley on a ramp if friction was removed completely.

Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

Part 1: Understanding Forces

Part 2: Identifying Force Types

Part 3: Force Diagrams

Part 4: Predicting Motion

Part 5: Real-World Applications

About This Worksheet

Free in Kuraplan

Print-Ready

AI-Generated

For Teachers & Parents

Need a custom version of this worksheet?

More Science Worksheets

Float or Sink Sorting Fun

Buoyancy, Density and Upthrust

Waka Buoyancy Science Worksheet

Ō Ahupūngao: Forces and Motion

Aircraft Design and Aerodynamics

Circular Motion Physics

Buoyancy and Flotation Diagnostic

Buoyancy and Flotation Diagnostic

Explore more free resources