Forces & Motion Explorer
Use force arrows, free-body diagrams, and short scenarios to decide resultant force, acceleration direction, and motion change.
Learning goals
- Describe the effect of balanced and unbalanced forces on a body
- Describe ways a force may change motion
- Identify action–reaction pairs on interacting bodies
- Draw free-body diagrams for force systems in at most two dimensions
- Apply resultant force = mass × acceleration
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Change one variable at a time and watch the model respond.
Scenario setup
Forces shown
Practice run
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Observation logCompare what changed0 saved
Change one variable, save another reading, then compare the evidence.
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Fair-test check
Study lensDistinguish balanced from unbalanced forces using free-body diagrams.
Try this
Set the arrows first, then decide what the resultant force says about acceleration.
Learn to
- Distinguish balanced from unbalanced forces using free-body diagrams.
- Use resultant force and F = ma to determine acceleration direction and size.
- Explain friction, air resistance, and terminal velocity without mixing up moving and accelerating.
Exam transfer
Governing idea
The vector sum of the forces is the resultant force, and Fₙₑₜ = ma. Balanced forces give zero acceleration, not necessarily zero velocity.
Model boundary
Objects are treated as rigid bodies with simplified friction, drag, and constant gravitational field strength where those effects are shown.
Avoid this trap
Velocity points in the direction of motion; resultant force points in the direction of acceleration. They do not have to point the same way.
How to explore
Build the force picture first, then decide the resultant force and motion change.
Predict the outcome, change one variable at a time, then interpret the result. Completion records participation only and does not award mastery.
About this activity
Use force arrows, free-body diagrams, and short scenarios to decide resultant force, acceleration direction, and motion change. A text explanation and no-JavaScript route remain available.
How this activity affects progress
Course and syllabus information
- Course
- SEC G3 Physics
- Edition
- SEC G3 Physics 2027