Assume all other forces on the train are balanced. Which statement describes the forces on the train?
The forces are unbalanced, so there is a net force on the train. The forces are balanced, so there is no net force on the train.
A train is sitting on a magnetic track. Earth's gravity is pulling down on the train with a force of 200,000N. The magnetic track is pushing up on the train with a force of 200,000N.
A force is a push or a pull that acts on an object. Every force has a direction and a magnitude, or strength. If two forces act on an object in opposite directions, the forces are called opposing forces.
When opposing forces have the same magnitude, they are balanced. If all the forces on an object are balanced, there is no net force on the object.
When opposing forces have different magnitudes, the forces are unbalanced. If any forces on an object are unbalanced, there is a net force on the object.
To determine if there is a net force on the train, look at the forces:
Earth's gravity is pulling the train down with a force of 200,000 N.
The magnetic track is pushing the train up with a force of 200,000 N.
The forces are in opposite directions, and the forces have the same magnitude: 200,000 N. This means that the forces are balanced, so there is no net force on the train.