Unbalanced forces! Flashcards
Q: What is air resistance (drag)?
Air resistance (drag) opposes motion and increases with speed. When it becomes greater than weight, the object slows down, reducing air resistance. Eventually, air resistance equals the weight, balancing forces and resulting in the object moving at a constant speed (terminal velocity).
What happens when the applied force is greater than friction?
To accelerate an object, the applied force must be greater than the friction, so that they are unbalanced.
What happens when the force acting on an object is greater on one side?
When the force acting on an object is greater on one side, the object will move in that direction.
What are unbalanced forces?
Unbalanced forces are forces acting on an object that are not equal in size and/or in directions which are not opposite, causing a change in the object’s velocity.
What happens when an object is moving in one direction and a force is applied in a different direction?
When an object is moving in one direction, applying a force in a different direction will cause the path of the object to curve or reverse.
What is needed to completely reverse an object’s direction?
To completely reverse an object’s direction (like hitting a tennis ball back the way it came), the force in the new direction must be larger than any opposing force.
