Classifying Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

Learning Objective(s)

• Students will be able to differentiate between balanced and unbalanced forces by evaluating various realworld scenarios.

Instructions

Teacher Preparation Using Cricut: 

1. Design the Layout: Use the Cricut Design Space template to create a 12x12 mat grid, dividing it into sections labeled "Balanced Force" and "Unbalanced Force."
   
   
2. Clue Sections: Use the Cricut’s drawing tool (pen) to add visual hints (e.g., force arrows) or light text clues in certain areas.
   
   
3. Print-Then-Cut Feature: After the design is drawn, use the
   print-then-cut feature to create the removable terms and force arrows. These can be printed on colored paper for easy identification.

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction to Forces (10 minutes)

• Objective: Provide students with a clear understanding of balanced vs. unbalanced forces.
• Engage: Start by asking students, “What happens when you push a stationary object? What about a moving object?”
• Mini-lecture: Review that balanced forces result in no change in motion, while unbalanced forces cause a change in motion (speed up, slow down, or change direction).
• Demonstration: Show an example using objects (like a ball and a block). Push the objects to demonstrate when forces are balanced and unbalanced.

2.    Scenario Classification: Balanced or Unbalanced? (20 minutes)

• Objective: Students apply knowledge to classify real-world scenarios.
• Give pairs or groups scenario cards that describe various situations (e.g., a book resting on a table, a car accelerating, two people pushing an object in opposite directions).
• Students will place force arrows and terms on their mat based on the scenario, determining if the forces are balanced or unbalanced.
• Discussion: After students classify each scenario, ask groups to explain their reasoning and discuss why forces are balanced or unbalanced.

3.    Practice & Review (10 minutes)

• Independent Work:
• Students will write in their notebooks or on a guided note sheet (attached) whether each scenario involves balanced or unbalanced forces and describe what the force is doing (e.g., “The forces are unbalanced because the object is moving forward”).
• Review as a class: Go over a few examples and discuss why the forces are classified the way they are.

Accommodation

To support students who need additional guidance, the Cricut Design Space template includes a second version of the mat with visual and text-based clues for each term or scenario.