Vocabulary Definitions for Balancing Nails Lab

tension - A pulling force that is exerted by a string, cable, or chain on another object.

compression - a force that squeezes things together

normal force - the force that supports the weight of an object on a surface

unbalanced forces - a pair of forces that are not equal and opposite; one force is stronger than the other; there is a net force and a change in motion

balanced forces - a pair of forces that forces are equal in size and opposite in direction; there is a zero net force and no change in motion

gravity - a force of attraction between all objects in the universe