Grades 2–4
Gravity: True or False?
Eight facts about gravity to mark true or false, then draw your classroom with no gravity.
Science worksheet · Forces and motion
Friction Test
Slide a block down a ramp onto four surfaces, measure how far it goes and find the most friction.
- Grade level
- Grades 3–5
- Time
- About 30 minutes
- Topic
- Forces and motion
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Pushes and pulls, Friction, Gravity and motion
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- Friction is a force that slows things down when two surfaces rub together. Set it up: lean a book to make a short ramp. Slide a block or toy car down it onto each surface and measure how far it goes.
- My hypothesis: the block will slide farthest on
- Most friction (shortest slide)
- Least friction (longest slide)
- Conclusion: when is friction helpful? When is it a problem?
Words on this sheet
SurfaceSmooth tableCarpetTowel
Teacher tip
Tape the surfaces to the floor at the end of the same ramp so only the surface changes.
How to use it
- Roll balls across carpet and tile to feel friction.
- Drop two objects at once and ask which lands first.
- Start with a two-minute “I notice, I wonder” talk about the picture on the sheet.
Watch for
Heavier objects don’t fall faster (without air in the way). Try it with two balls.
Talk about it
- What force made this move?
- What question do you still have?
Take it further
Hold a toy car race on different surfaces and graph the results.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More forces and motion worksheets
Grades 3–5
Balanced or Unbalanced?
Circle balanced or unbalanced for six situations, then explain what unbalanced forces do to motion.
Grades 3–5
Paper Airplane Test
Fold two designs, fly each three times, measure the distance and name the forces at work.
Grades 1–3
Push or Pull?
Sort eight actions into pushes and pulls, then draw a push and a pull you did today.
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