Physical Science · Forces & Motion
Balanced & Unbalanced Forces
Investigate how pushes and pulls in different directions affect an object's motion. Change one force condition at a time and use what the object does as evidence.
Lesson plan
Balanced & Unbalanced Forces
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Lesson overview
What students will learn
- Use observations to compare how balanced and unbalanced forces affect motion.
- Plan a fair comparison that changes one force condition at a time.
Key science ideas
- A force is a push or pull, and forces have direction.
- We can compare force strength as equal, stronger, or weaker.
- Balanced forces are equal in strength and opposite in direction. They do not mean that no forces are acting.
Lesson at a glance
- Grade 3
- 45 min
- ~8 min prep
- 3-PS2-1
- 6 materials
What’s included
- Lesson Plan
- Investigation
- Teacher Slides
- Printable Worksheet
- Teacher Answer Key
- Interactive Activity
- Vocabulary