An unbalanced force is needed to change an object's motion. Balanced forces occur when the net force is zero and there will be no motion. Unbalanced forces occur when the net force is greater than zero, causing motion. An object's mass affects its inertia, with more massive objects being harder to move or change the speed/direction of. Gravity and friction also affect motion, with gravity providing a downward force and friction opposing motion between surfaces. Students conduct a penny lab investigating balanced and unbalanced forces related to gravity, inertia, and friction.