Cambridge Secondary (7-9). Stage 8. Science. Learner's Book - Unit 3: Forces and energy - Question 24

Think like a scientist: Measuring balanced and unbalanced forces. You will investigate the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces. Work in pairs. You will need: two forcemeters, piece of string, coloured tape, scissors. Set up the equipment as shown in the diagram. Each person in the pair holds one forcemeter (also known as a newton meter). The string should be tight. The coloured tape on the string should be lined up with the coloured tape on the desk. Each person pulls with an equal force, for example, 4 N.



Explain why the two forcemeters do not have to be the same.