How do balanced and unbalanced forces differ?

Balanced forces result in no change in an object's motion, while unbalanced forces cause a change in motion.

Balanced forces are those that are equal in size but opposite in direction. When forces are balanced, they cancel each other out, resulting in no change in an object's motion. This means that if an object is at rest, it will stay at rest, and if it is moving, it will continue to move at a constant speed in a straight line. This is in accordance with Newton's first law of motion, also known as the law of inertia.

On the other hand, unbalanced forces do not cancel each other out. They are unequal in size or direction, or both. When forces are unbalanced, they cause a change in the motion of an object. This could mean causing a stationary object to start moving, or causing a moving object to speed up, slow down, or change direction. This is in line with Newton's second law of motion, which states that the force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration.

For example, if you push a book on a table with a certain force and it doesn't move, it means the force you're applying is balanced by the frictional force between the book and the table. However, if you push the book and it starts to slide, it means the force you're applying is greater than the frictional force, making it an unbalanced force.

In summary, the key difference between balanced and unbalanced forces lies in their effect on an object's motion. Balanced forces maintain the status quo, while unbalanced forces disrupt it, causing changes in motion.