Balanced and Unbalanced Forces for Kids: Push, Pull, Stay Put (Grades 3 to 5 Science)

Hi, I'm Luna from DoodleBeez. Every push and pull is a force. When several forces act on an object at once, they can balance out, or one can win. Today we will see what happens.

A force has a size and a direction. A small push and a big push have different sizes. Pushing left and pushing right are different directions. We can draw forces as arrows.

Picture a tug of war. Both teams pull with the same strength in opposite directions. The rope does not move. The forces are balanced, so the motion does not change.

A book resting on a table has balanced forces too. Gravity pulls it down, and the table pushes it up with an equal force. That is why the book stays put.

Now imagine one team pulls harder. The forces are unbalanced, and the rope moves toward the stronger team. Unbalanced forces change motion. They can start, stop, speed up, slow down or turn an object.

Think about a soccer ball. It sits still until you kick it. Your kick is an unbalanced force, so the ball starts moving. Friction and air then slow it down until it stops.

Now it's your turn. A cat pushes a box to the right with the same force that a dog pushes it to the left. Will the box move? Pause and try. No. The forces are balanced, so it stays still.

Great job! Remember, balanced forces cause no change in motion. Unbalanced forces make objects start, stop, speed up, slow down or turn. Practice balanced and unbalanced forces in the Science Lab at doodlebeez.com. See you next time!