Balanced force

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Balanced force
Balanced force example | Image: Pixabay

A balanced force refers to a situation in which the forces acting on an object have equal magnitudes but opposite directions.[1][2] When the forces acting on an object are balanced, they effectively cancel each other out, resulting in a state of equilibrium in which the object does not experience any acceleration.[1][3]

Examples

Pulled rope

Balanced force example - Pulled rope
When forces are equal on a rope pulled from opposite ends, it remains balanced | Image: Pexels

In a tug of war game, a balanced force arises when opposing teams exert equal and opposite forces on the rope, resulting in no net movement. This balance of forces prevents any acceleration of the rope, keeping it in a stationary position.[4][5]

Sleeping man

Balanced force example - Sleeping man
The force on a man sleeping on a sofa is perfectly balanced, keeping him comfortably supported | Image: Pixabay

Balanced force supports a person on a sofa and provides comfort. Gravity pulls downward while the sofa exerts an upward force called the normal force. These opposing forces, with equal magnitudes, result in no movement. Thus, a balanced force keeps us stable while sitting or sleeping on a sofa.

Hanging fruit

Balanced force example - Hanging fruit
A hanging fruit finds balance as the forces acting on it are evenly distributed | Image: Pixabay

When a fruit hangs from a tree branch, a balanced force acts on it to keep it stationary. The upward force exerted by the tree branch balances the weight of the fruit, which is the force of gravity pulling it downward. These two forces, with equal magnitudes but opposite directions, result in no movement of the fruit. This balanced force allows the fruit to remain in its position without any acceleration.

Placed lamp

Balanced force example - Placed lamp
The lamp remains steady on the flat surface due to the presence of balanced force | Image: Pexels

When a night lamp is placed on a flat surface, it remains in a steady position due to the presence of a balanced force. The flat surface exerts an upward force on the lamp, preventing it from passing through. At the same time, gravity pulls the lamp downward. These two forces, acting in opposite directions with equal magnitudes, create a balanced force. As a result, the night lamp remains stable and does not move from the flat surface.

Motorcycle

Balanced force example - Motorcycle
A motorcycle remains upright on the road due to a balanced force keeping it steady | Image: Pixabay

When a motorcycle is parked on the road, it remains in a balanced condition without any movement. This is because it is influenced by two forces. The first force is exerted by the road surface in an upward direction, known as the normal force, which prevents the motorcycle from passing through the road. The second force is gravity, pulling the motorcycle downward. These two forces have equal magnitudes but opposite directions, resulting in a state of balance. Therefore, a balanced force acts on the motorcycle when it is parked on the road, keeping it stationary.

Resting stone

Balanced force example - Resting stone
Balanced force maintaining a large stone resting on the land | Image: Pixabay

The steady position of a large stone resting on the land demonstrates the concept of balanced force. In this scenario, two forces come into play: the upward normal force exerted by the land’s surface and the downward force of gravity. These two forces are equal in magnitude but act in opposite directions, resulting in a state of equilibrium. As a result, the stone remains stationary without any tendency to move or accelerate.

Hanging fan

Balanced force example - Hanging fan
Balanced force supporting a fan hanging from ceiling | Image: Pixabay

The concept of balanced forces is demonstrated when a ceiling fan is suspended with a metal rod. The gravitational force pulls the fan downward, while the tension in the metal rod acts in the opposite direction, supporting the weight of the fan. These two forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, resulting in a state of equilibrium. As a result, the ceiling fan remains in a stable position without any acceleration or movement. This scenario exemplifies the principle of balanced force, where the forces cancel each other out, leading to a state of rest or uniform motion.

Standing person

Balanced force example - Standing person
A person standing on the floor maintains balance thanks to the equal forces supporting them | Image: Pexels

When a person stands on the floor, two forces act on them. The normal force from the floor supports the person upward, while gravity pulls them downward. These forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, creating a balanced force. This balanced force allows the person to remain in a stable position on the floor.

Sand ball

Balanced force example - Sand ball
The force acting on a sand ball placed on a hand is balanced, preventing it from falling | Image: Pixabay

When a sandball rests on a hand, it experiences a balanced force. The upward normal force exerted by the hand and the downward force of gravity act in opposite directions with equal magnitudes, resulting in equilibrium.[6] This balanced force prevents any acceleration of the sandball and keeps it motionless on the hand.

Computer

Balanced force example - Computer
Balanced force supporting computer placed on table | Image: Pixabay

When a computer or laptop rests on a table, it experiences two forces: an upward normal force from the table supporting it, and the downward force of gravity. These opposing forces, of equal magnitude, create a balanced force scenario. As a result, the computer remains stable on the table without any acceleration.

Lying book

Balanced force example - Lying book
The role of a balanced force in supporting a book lying on the desk | Image: Pixabay

When a book rests on a desk, it experiences a balanced force. The upward normal force exerted by the desk supports the book, while the force of gravity pulls it downward. These opposing forces, equal in magnitude, create a state of equilibrium that keeps the book in place. As a result, the book remains motionless on the desk, illustrating the concept of balanced force.

Hanging cloth

Balanced force example - Hanging cloth
A hanging cloth achieves equilibrium as the forces acting on it are balanced | Image: Pixabay

When clothes are hung on a metal rod, they experience a balanced force. The hanger exerts an upward force, while gravity pulls the clothes downward. These opposing forces, with equal magnitudes and opposite directions, balance the clothes and keep them in place. As a result, the clothes do not move. This state of equilibrium is known as a balanced force, where the forces acting on the clothes cancel each other out.

Sitting boy

Balanced force example - Sitting boy
A boy sitting on a chair experiences balance due to the equal and opposite forces supporting him | Image: Pixabay

When someone sits on a chair, the upward normal force exerted by the chair balances the downward force of gravity. These opposing forces, equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, create a state of equilibrium known as a balanced force.

More topics

References

  1. Forces and interactions – NYU Tandon School of Engineering
  2. Balanced and Unbalanced Forces (ICP.3.2) – Purdue University
  3. Force and Motion Sections 3.1-3.7 – Illinois State University
  4. Newton’s First Law: Inertia and Unbalanced Forces – NASA (.gov)
  5. Lecture 6: Equilibrium – Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  6. What Happens When Forces Are Balanced or Unbalanced? – Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District

External links

Deep

Learnool.com was founded by Deep Rana, who is a mechanical engineer by profession and a blogger by passion. He has a good conceptual knowledge on different educational topics and he provides the same on this website. He loves to learn something new everyday and believes that the best utilization of free time is developing a new skill.

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