1. Change in Speed: The object can either speed up (accelerate) or slow down (decelerate).
* If the force is in the same direction as the object's motion, the object speeds up.
* If the force is in the opposite direction of the object's motion, the object slows down.
2. Change in Direction: The object can change direction. Even if the speed remains the same, a force acting perpendicular to the object's motion will cause it to change direction.
3. Change in Both Speed and Direction: The most general case is when the unbalanced force causes the object to both speed up or slow down *and* change direction. This happens when the force acts at an angle to the object's motion.
Key Point: An unbalanced force is the driving force behind any change in velocity. Newton's laws of motion describe this relationship precisely.
