Question

In which situation are unbalanced forces acting on an object? Two people stand on opposite sides of a larger tire. Both people the tire with equal force. Two people stand on the same side of a larger tire. One person pushes the tire and the other pulls the tire with equal force. Two people stand on opposite sides of a larger tire. Both people push the tire with equal force. Two people stand on the same side of a large tire. Both people pull the tire with equal force.

Answer 1

Unbalanced forces act on an object when the total force acting on it is not zero, resulting in a net force that causes the object to accelerate or change its motion.

Let's analyze the four situations:

1. Two people stand on opposite sides of a larger tire. Both people push the tire with equal force.

   • Result: The forces cancel each other out, leading to balanced forces. The tire does not move.

2. Two people stand on the same side of a larger tire. One person pushes the tire and the other pulls the tire with equal force.

   • Result: The push and pull are in opposite directions but are equal in magnitude, resulting in balanced forces. The tire does not move.

3. Two people stand on opposite sides of a larger tire. Both people pull the tire with equal force.

   • Result: Similar to the first scenario, the forces cancel each other out, leading to balanced forces. The tire does not move.

4. Two people stand on the same side of a large tire. Both people pull the tire with equal force.

   • Result: The forces add together, resulting in a net force that is not zero. This creates unbalanced forces, causing the tire to move in the direction of the pull.

Therefore, the situation where unbalanced forces are acting on the object is the fourth one: Two people stand on the same side of a large tire. Both people pull the tire with equal force.