Balancing
I can investigate the conditions for balance and apply the principle of moments in a range of situations.
Balancing
I can investigate the conditions for balance and apply the principle of moments in a range of situations.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Moment = force × distance (M = Fd)
- If an object is balanced, the total clockwise moment about a pivot equals the total anticlockwise moment.
- An object is in equilibrium if it is balanced and there are no resultant forces acting.
Keywords
Equilibrium - The state of an object when there is no resultant force or moment acting on it.
Moment - The turning effect of a force, measured in newton metres (Nm).
Principle of moments - An object will balance when the clockwise moments are equal to the anticlockwise moments.
Common misconception
The distance to a pivot is always the distance along the lever, no matter which direction the force is acting in.
Opening a door by pushing on the handle in different directions shows it is harder to open when the shoulder of the person pushing is closer to the pivot (smaller perpendicular distance between the force and the pivot).
To help you plan your year 11 physics lesson on: Balancing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 physics lesson on: Balancing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 physics lessons from the Forces make things change unit, dive into the full secondary physics curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions

Exit quiz
6 Questions




