Balanced and Unbalanced Forces
Tug of War Activity
Objective:
Students will identify & describe the presence of unbalanced & balanced forces based on three different tug of war
scenarios. Students will then use the data collected in order to determine what changes occur to objects when
acted upon by unbalanced forces.
Essential Vocabulary:
force: ______________________________________________________________________________________
unbalanced forces: ____________________________________________________________________________
balanced forces: ______________________________________________________________________________
net force: ___________________________________________________________________________________
unit of measurement for force: _________________________
Materials:
1 rope
multiple students
Safety:
-Students should hold on to the rope and not let go, until instructed to do so.
-Plenty of room is needed.
-Do not pull on the rope, until instructed to do so.
Scenario 1:
2 students on each side of the rope with the same approximately the same mass.
Hypothesis: What do you think will occur?
Observations: illustration (initial)
Are the forces balanced or unbalanced?
illustration (final)
Results:
(what happened)
Was your hypothesis supported by the data collected? Explain your thinking.
Scenario 2:
2 students on each side of the rope with differing mass.
Hypothesis: What do you think will occur?
Observations: illustration (initial)
Are the forces balanced or unbalanced?
illustration (final)
Results:
(what happened)
Was your hypothesis supported by the data collected? Explain your thinking.
Scenario 3: (create one as a class)
______________________________________________________________________________
Hypothesis: What do you think will occur?
Observations: illustration (initial)
Are the forces balanced or unbalanced?
illustration (final)
Results:
(what happened)
Was your hypothesis supported by the data collected? Explain your thinking.
Conclusion & Reflection Questions:
Describe an example of you being acted upon by balanced forces.
How do we know force was used in the tug of war scenarios?
Describe an example of you being acted upon by unbalanced forces.