What happens when two teams, playing the game of tug of war pulls the rope from opposite sides?
The answer is simple.
Any one of these two teams will end up pulling the rope on their side and win the game.
But here, not a single team is moving. (i.e., Both the teams are in balanced condition)
It means that both teams are applying the SAME amount of force to pull the rope.
This type of force is known as a balanced force.
So, what is a balanced force?
Here you’ll understand the exact meaning of balanced force with Real Life examples.
Let’s get started with the definition.
Balanced Force Definition
From the name itself, the meaning of balanced force can be understood.
Simply, balanced force means equal force.
In physics, the definition of balanced force can be stated as:
“A force which is having the same magnitude and opposite direction is known as a Balanced Force“
To understand the above definition properly, let’s consider some examples.
Balanced Force Examples in Daily Life
Here’s a list of examples of balanced force in Daily Life:
- Person standing on a floor
- Laptop placed on a table
- Boy sitting on a chair
- Books lying on a desk
- Fan hanging from a ceiling
- Lamp placed on a floor
- T-shirt hanging from a metal rod
- Coconut hanging from a tree
- Scooter standing on a road
- And more…
Let’s understand each one of these examples with pictures. (So you’ll get a clear idea)
#1 Person standing on a floor
When a person is standing on a floor, a person is balanced by upward and downward force.
Upward force: Floor pushes a person in the upward direction.
Downward force: Gravity pulls a person in the downward direction.
As these forces are acting in opposite directions and having the same magnitude, they are known as Balanced Forces.
#2 Laptop placed on a table
When a laptop is placed on a table, a laptop is balanced by upward and downward force.
Upward force: Table pushes a laptop in the upward direction.
Downward force: Gravity pulls a laptop in the downward direction.
And as these forces are acting in opposite directions and having the same magnitude, they are known as Balanced Forces.
#3 Boy sitting on a chair
When a boy is sitting on a chair, a boy is balanced by upward and downward force.
Upward force: Chair pushes a boy in the upward direction.
Downward force: Gravity pulls a boy in the downward direction.
These two forces are acting in opposite directions and having the same magnitude, so they are known as Balanced Forces.
#4 Books lying on a desk
When a book is lying on a desk, a book is balanced by upward and downward force.
Upward force: Desk pushes a book in the upward direction.
Downward force: Gravity pulls a book in the downward direction.
As these two forces are acting in opposite directions and having the same magnitude, they are known as Balanced Forces.
#5 Fan hanging from a ceiling
When a fan is hanging from a ceiling, a fan is balanced by upward and downward force.
Upward force: Fan pushes a ceiling in the upward direction.
Downward force: Gravity pulls a fan in the downward direction.
These two forces are acting in opposite directions and having the same magnitude, so they are known as Balanced Forces.
#6 Lamp placed on a floor
When a lamp is placed on a floor, a lamp is balanced by upward and downward force.
Upward force: Floor pushes a lamp in the upward direction.
Downward force: Gravity pulls a lamp in the downward direction.
These forces are known as Balanced Forces. (Because they are acting in opposite directions and having the same magnitude)
#7 T-shirt hanging from a metal rod
When a t-shirt is hanging from a metal rod, a t-shirt is balanced by upward and downward force.
Upward force: T-shirt pushes a metal rod in the upward direction.
Downward force: Gravity pulls a t-shirt in the downward direction.
As these forces are acting in opposite directions and having the same magnitude, they are known as Balanced Forces.
#8 Coconut hanging from a tree
When a coconut is hanging from a tree, a coconut is balanced by upward and downward force.
Upward force: Coconut pushes the branches of a tree in the upward direction.
Downward force: Gravity pulls a coconut in the downward direction.
These two forces are acting in opposite directions and having the same magnitude, so they are known as Balanced Forces.
(If the forces are unbalanced, then a coconut will fall from a tree)
#9 Scooter standing on a road
When a scooter is standing on a road, a scooter is balanced by upward and downward force.
Upward force: Road pushes a scooter in the upward direction.
Downward force: Gravity pulls a scooter in the downward direction.
Now these forces are acting in opposite directions and having the same magnitude.
Hence, they are known as Balanced Forces.
#10 Holding a ball in hand
When a ball is placed on a hand, a ball is balanced by upward and downward force.
Upward force: Hand pushes a ball in the upward direction.
Downward force: Gravity pulls a ball in the downward direction.
These two forces are acting in opposite directions and having the same magnitude, so they are known as Balanced Forces.
#11 Heavy stone resting on a land
When a heavy stone is resting on a land, a stone is balanced by upward and downward force.
Upward force: Land pushes a stone in the upward direction.
Downward force: Gravity pulls a stone in the downward direction.
As these forces are acting in opposite directions and having the same magnitude, they are known as Balanced Forces.
#12 Man sleeping on a couch
When a man is sleeping on a couch, a man is balanced by upward and downward force.
Upward force: Couch pushes a man in the upward direction.
Downward force: Gravity pulls a man in the downward direction.
And these forces are acting in opposite directions and having the same magnitude.
So, they are known as Balanced Forces.
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There are so many other examples of balanced force that we are experiencing in our daily life.
Summary
From the above examples, one thing is understood.
If a force acting on an object is having the same magnitude and opposite direction, then a force is said to be a balanced force.
That’s how you can easily remember the definition of balanced force:
“A force which is having the same magnitude and opposite direction is known as a Balanced Force“
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What do you think, is it easy for you to understand this concept of balanced force?
(Let me know in the comments below)
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