Question

Jasper and Gemma are going to play on a teeter totter. Gemma gets on first. When Jasper gets on, Gemma moves into the air, but she does not move to the top. Which statement could correctly explain the forces acting on the teeter totter? The forces are balanced because Jasper weighs the same as Gemma. The forces are unbalanced because Jasper weighs the same as Gemma. The forces are balanced because Jasper weighs more than Gemma. The forces are unbalanced because Jasper weighs more than Gemma.

Answer 1

The correct explanation for why Gemma was lifted, but not to the top, when Jasper joined the teeter totter is that the forces are unbalanced because Jasper weighs more than Gemma.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question regarding the forces acting on a teeter totter can be answered by understanding the principles of balanced and unbalanced forces. In the scenario where Jasper gets on the teeter totter and Gemma does not move to the top, it implies that Jasper weighs more than Gemma. A balanced force would imply that both sides of the teeter totter are equal in weight and no movement would occur. Here, the correct statement is: 'The forces are unbalanced because Jasper weighs more than Gemma.' This unbalanced force causes Gemma to be lifted into the air, though not to the top since the system's equilibrium is disrupted but not enough to fully lift Gemma.