balanced & Unbalanced Forces
Being level headed and keeping your feet firmly on the ground are two things that you will need to do as you prepare for and work toward accomplishing your missions. Don't let forces work against you! Read the information below to prepare yourself. You want to have every advantage possible for the difficult journey ahead.
balanced forces= no motion!
When forces are balanced, they are said to be in a state of equilibrium. In a state of equilibrium, there is nothing in motion. Even though we can't see it, there are equal forces being exerted by the book and the table in this picture. The book is getting pulled down by gravity and the table is exerting an upward force supporting the weight of the book. What do you think would happen if the force of gravity was stronger than the table?
Two people exerting force in opposite directions can also result in a state of equilibrium or balance. If both people are pushing on the box with an equal amount of force, the box is going to remain motionless.
unbalanced forces= motion!
In order for motion to occur, one of the forces needs to be stronger than the other. When one force is stronger, the forces become unbalanced, motion occurs and the state of equilibrium has been broken. In this picture, the person on the left is exerting a stronger force than the person on the right. Because the forces are unbalanced, the person on the right will be pulled toward the stronger force on the left.
Watch this video clip (Secret Agent Bill Nye is a great source of information) to find out more!
Watch this video clip (Secret Agent Bill Nye is a great source of information) to find out more!
Training time!
You will need to find another agent at the same training stage as you for this activity. Once you have partnered up, work through the following training session. These training tasks will help you to maintain your balance in some of those sticky situations that you might find yourself in during a mission. Remember, safety first!
Training Task #1: Decide which agent will go first (you will both need to take a turn trying this out). Agent #1 will stand at attention, with their feet tight together and their arms down at their side. Agent #2 will gently push Agent #1 on the arm. Observe what happens. Once both agents have received a push from their partner in this position, record your observations in your Agent-In-Training notebook.
Training Task #2: Decide which agent will go first (again, you will both need to take a turn trying this out). Agent #1 will stand at attention, but this time they will spread their feet out shoulder-width apart and have their arms down at their side. Agent #2 will gently push Agent #1 on the arm. Observe what happens. Once both agents have received a push from their partner in this position, record your observations in your Agent-In-Training notebook.
Be sure to add in a conclusion about this training session once you have recorded and reviewed your observations in your Agent-In-Training notebook. Why do you think these training tasks had different results?
Training Task #1: Decide which agent will go first (you will both need to take a turn trying this out). Agent #1 will stand at attention, with their feet tight together and their arms down at their side. Agent #2 will gently push Agent #1 on the arm. Observe what happens. Once both agents have received a push from their partner in this position, record your observations in your Agent-In-Training notebook.
Training Task #2: Decide which agent will go first (again, you will both need to take a turn trying this out). Agent #1 will stand at attention, but this time they will spread their feet out shoulder-width apart and have their arms down at their side. Agent #2 will gently push Agent #1 on the arm. Observe what happens. Once both agents have received a push from their partner in this position, record your observations in your Agent-In-Training notebook.
Be sure to add in a conclusion about this training session once you have recorded and reviewed your observations in your Agent-In-Training notebook. Why do you think these training tasks had different results?
Hidden level of knowledge:
In order to gain access to each level of knowledge in this mission you must first gain access to the hidden mission page links. To do that you must click on the button below: