--- title: 3-PS2-1 Lesson Plans | Balanced and Unbalanced Forces description: "3-PS2-1: Balanced and Unbalanced Forces Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object." image: https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Right%20Image.png --- [![Teacher Login](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b) [Teacher Login](https://app.knowatom.com/signin) [![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo")](https://www.knowatom.com/) # 3-PS2-1: Balanced and Unbalanced Forces Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object. [![Download a Sample Unit](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6) Science & Engineering Practices - [Developing and using models](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models) - [Planning and carrying out investigations](https://www.knowatom.com/planning-and-carrying-out-investigations) - [Engaging in argument from evidence](https://www.knowatom.com/engaging-in-argument-from-evidence) - [Obtaining evaluating and communicating information](https://www.knowatom.com/obtaining-evaluating-and-communicating-information) Disciplinary Core Ideas - [Forces and Motion](https://www.knowatom.com/forces-and-motion) - [Types of Interactions](https://www.knowatom.com/types-of-interaction) - [The Universe and Its Stars](https://www.knowatom.com/the-universe-and-its-stars) - [Earth and the Solar System](https://www.knowatom.com/earth-and-the-solar-system) Crosscutting Concepts - [Cause and Effect](https://www.knowatom.com/cause-and-effect) - [Scale Proportion and Quantity](https://www.knowatom.com/scale-proportion-and-quantity) - [Patterns](https://www.knowatom.com/patterns) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f) ## Browse 3-PS2-1 Lesson Plans Grade Ranges All K-2 3-5 6-8 [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-07-2023-11-45-35-6461-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/motion-in-the-solar-system) ## [Motion in the Solar System In this lesson, students model the solar system and analyze Earth’s place in the system as well as how the force of gravity causes the planets to move around the sun in predictable, regular paths. This page serves to highlight the key components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/motion-in-the-solar-system) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/motion-in-the-solar-system) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-07-2023-02-41-11-9781-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/balanced-vs-unbalanced-forces) ## [Balanced vs. Unbalanced Forces In this unit, students analyze the phenomena of matter, forces, and energy. In this lesson, they compare the effects of unbalanced versus balanced forces on objects. They then evaluate how matter interacts with and is changed by energy, which transfers from one object or system to another. This page showcases key components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/balanced-vs-unbalanced-forces) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/balanced-vs-unbalanced-forces) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-07-2023-02-42-45-5684-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/energy-and-collisions) ## [Energy and Collisions In this unit, students explore matter, forces, and energy. In this lesson, students evaluate the science phenomena of how matter interacts with and is changed by energy, which transfers from one object or system to another. This page is a high-level extract of the components of this lesson.  ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/energy-and-collisions) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/energy-and-collisions) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Forces-and-Levers1.jpg) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/forces-and-levers) ## [Forces and Levers In this unit, students use simple machines to explore the relationship between forces, energy, and motion. In the first lesson of the unit, students investigate how levers redirect force to do work. This page showcases key elements of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/forces-and-levers) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/forces-and-levers) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-09-2023-05-19-06-0943-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/engineering-launchers) ## [Engineering Launchers In this unit, students explore the phenomena of forces, energy, and motion in systems involving simple machines. In this lesson, students solve a problem by prototyping solutions to launch objects. This page highlights each component of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/engineering-launchers) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/engineering-launchers) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-07-2023-01-01-27-2256-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/engineering-skyscrapers) ## [Engineering Skyscrapers In this unit, students analyze the science phenomena of different forces that can act on all structures. They begin by exploring how forces act on different materials and shapes. They then use what they know about forces to design a skyscraper prototype in this lesson, evaluating how their design relates to the ability of the skyscraper to withstand the weight of the structure and the people on it, as well as the force of wind.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/engineering-skyscrapers) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/engineering-skyscrapers) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-07-2023-11-29-44-7026-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/comparing-forces) ## [Comparing Forces In this unit, students learn about the tiny particles called atoms that make up all matter in the universe. In this lesson, students compare the effects of different forces on objects. This page serves to highlight the key components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/comparing-forces) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/comparing-forces) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-07-2023-12-34-48-4196-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/windmill-forces) ## [Windmill Forces In this unit, students bring together what they have learned about the interactions of energy and matter to explore the science phenomena of relationships between energy, force, and motion. In this lesson, they investigate how windmills transfer the kinetic energy in wind so that it can be used to do work, and then use that knowledge to analyze balanced and unbalanced forces. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/windmill-forces) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/windmill-forces) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-07-2023-12-39-11-4015-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/patterns-in-motion) ## [Patterns in Motion In this unit, students first use windmills to analyze how wind energy provides a force that causes windmills to turn. Then, in this lesson, they explore the science phenomenon of how patterns in motion can be used to predict future movements. This page provides a snapshot of key components of the lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/patterns-in-motion) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/patterns-in-motion) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-07-2023-12-54-50-2895-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/forces-and-materials) ## [Forces and Materials In this unit, students continue to explore the science phenomenon of forces, analyzing how structures have to be able to withstand all of the forces that act on them. Students begin by testing different materials and shapes to see how they respond to different types of forces.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/forces-and-materials) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/forces-and-materials) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-08-2023-06-19-41-0641-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/friction-and-motion) ## [Friction and Motion In this unit, students expand their understanding of the need for energy among living things to include non living energy systems. They build sleds to figure out how the phenomena of friction transfers energy out of systems. This page highlights components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/friction-and-motion) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/friction-and-motion) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-08-2023-06-19-35-2600-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/engineering-roller-coasters) ## [Engineering Roller Coasters In this unit, students use sleds and roller coasters to explore the relationship between energy, forces, and motion. In this lesson, students apply what they know about energy and forces to engineer a roller coaster. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/engineering-roller-coasters) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/engineering-roller-coasters) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-Oct-09-2023-05-12-39-7228-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/energy-transfers-and-levers) ## [Energy Transfer and Levers In this lesson students focus on phenomena created by levers, exploring how the structure of the lever determines how much force it can produce to do work. This page is a high-level extract showcasing various parts of the lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/energy-transfers-and-levers) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/energy-transfers-and-levers) Standards citation: NGSS Lead States. 2013. *Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By State*s. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. 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