Force Investigation Worksheet
Side 1 • Physical Science
Force Investigation: Push & Pull
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Reading: What Are Pushes and Pulls?
A force is simply a push or a pull. You use forces every single day! When you push something, you move it away from you. Kicking a ball, closing a door, or pushing a shopping cart are all pushes. When you pull something, you move it closer to you. Pulling a wagon, opening a drawer, or pulling a zipper up are all pulls.
Forces can make things start moving, speed up, slow down, or stop. When a rolling toy car slows down and stops on a rug, an invisible force called friction is working. Friction happens when two surfaces rub together, slowing down the movement. Another force is gravity, which pulls everything down toward the ground so we do not float away!
Questions
Multiple Choice (4 Questions)
Circle the best answer for each question
1. Maya is unpacking groceries in the kitchen. Which action is an example of a pull?
A) Pushing the refrigerator door shut
B) Pulling a heavy cooler toward herself
C) Pressing a button on the microwave
D) Setting an apple down on the counter
2. When a player kicks a soccer ball forward, what kind of force is used?
A) A pull that brings the ball closer
B) A push that moves the ball away
C) A pull that keeps the ball still
D) No force at all is used
3. Which of the following is an everyday example of a push force?
A) Pulling a wagon behind you
B) Pushing a friend on a swing away from you
C) Reeling in a fish on a fishing line
D) Opening a desk drawer toward your body
4. You push a toy car across the floor. It rolls forward quickly, but then gradually slows down and stops. What force made it stop?
A) Gravity pulling it sideways
B) Friction rubbing between the wheels and floor
C) Another push speeding the car up
D) Magnetism pushing the car backward
Unit: Forces and Motion • Physical Science Student Worksheet Turn over for Side 2: Balanced & Unbalanced Forces ➔
Side 2 • Physical Science
Force Investigation: Balanced & Unbalanced
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Score: / 8
Review Date:
Reading: Balanced and Unbalanced Forces
Most objects have more than one force acting on them at the same time. The total of all forces added together is called the net force. Forces are measured in units called Newtons (N). When two forces push or pull with the same strength in opposite directions, they are called balanced forces. Balanced forces cancel out, making the Net Force = 0 N. With balanced forces, there is no change in movement. A still book stays still!
When one force is stronger than the other, they are called unbalanced forces. Unbalanced forces cause things to speed up, slow down, stop, or turn. To find the net force, simply subtract the smaller number from the bigger number. The object will always move in the direction of the stronger push or pull!
Questions
Multiple Choice (4 Questions)
Circle the best answer for each question
1. A science book is sitting completely still on a flat desk. Which sentence is true about the forces?
A) There are zero forces on the book
B) An unbalanced force is pushing it upward
C) Forces are balanced: gravity down equals desk push up
D) Friction is the only force on the book
2. Marcus pushes a box right with 25 N of force. Elena pushes the box left with 15 N of force. What happens?
A) Net force is 40 N; the box stays still
B) Net force is 10 N right; box moves right
C) Net force is 10 N left; box moves left
D) Net force is 0 N; forces are balanced
3. In a tug-of-war game, the center rope flag stays completely still for 10 seconds. What is true about the forces?
A) Forces are balanced, so the net force is 0 N
B) Forces are unbalanced, causing movement
C) No forces are pulling on the rope at all
D) Only Team A is pulling on the rope
4. A car drives straight down a highway at a steady 50 mph without speeding up or slowing down. Why are the forces balanced?
A) Because the car is stopped at a stop sign
B) Because the car is speeding up each second
C) Forward push equals backward friction, so speed does not change
D) Gravity has stopped pulling down on the car
Unit: Forces and Motion • Physical Science Student Worksheet Completed Force Investigation Worksheet
Force Investigation Answer Key
Teacher Guide Side 1 Answer Key
Force Investigation: Push & Pull (Answers)
Quick Key • 4 Pts
Key Takeaway: A push moves things away from you. A pull moves things closer to you. Friction slows things down.
1. Unpacking groceries: Which action is an example of a pull?
Correct: B
Explanation: Pulling a cooler moves it closer toward Maya. Pushing a door (A) and pressing a button (C) move things away from the person.
2. Kicking a soccer ball forward: What kind of force is used?
Correct: B
Explanation: The foot pushes the ball away from the kicker, sending it forward across the field.
3. Which of the following is an everyday example of a push force?
Correct: B
Explanation: Pushing a friend on a swing moves the swing away from your hands. Pulling a wagon (A), reeling fish (C), and opening a drawer (D) are all pulls.
4. A toy car rolls forward then slows down and stops. What force made it stop?
Correct: B
Explanation: Friction is the rubbing force between the car's wheels and the floor that slows the car down and brings it to a stop.
Forces & Motion Assessment • Answer Guide Side 2 Answers on Next Page ➔
Teacher Guide Side 2 Answer Key
Force Investigation: Balanced & Unbalanced (Answers)
Quick Key • 4 Pts
Key Takeaway: Balanced = equal strength in opposite directions (Net Force = 0 N, no change in speed). Unbalanced = movement changes!
1. A science book is sitting completely still on a flat desk. Which is true?
Correct: C
Explanation: Forces are still acting on the book! Gravity pulls down and the desk pushes up with the exact same strength. Because they balance, the book stays still.
2. Marcus pushes right (25 N); Elena pushes left (15 N). What happens?
Correct: B
Explanation: Subtract opposing forces: \(25\,\text{N} - 15\,\text{N} = 10\,\text{N}\) to the right. Because Marcus's push is 10 N stronger, the box moves right.
3. In tug-of-war, the center flag stays completely still. What is true?
Correct: A
Explanation: When an object does not move despite forces pulling on it, the forces are balanced and equal, meaning the net force is 0 N.
4. A car drives straight at steady 50 mph. Why are the forces balanced?
Force Explorers Slides
Science • Forces and Motion Lesson 1
Science Explorer Deck
Forces in Action
Discover how Pushes & Pulls move things and how Balanced & Unbalanced Forces work.
Get ready to explore forces all around us! Let's Begin ➔
Big Science Idea
What is a Force?
A force is simply a push or a pull acting on an object.
A PUSH
Moves things AWAY from you.
- Kicking a soccer ball forward
- Pushing a shopping cart
- Pushing a door shut
A PULL
Moves things CLOSER to you.
- Pulling a red wagon
- Opening a drawer toward you
- Zipping up a warm jacket
Easy Rule: Away from you = Push. Closer to you = Pull. Slide 2 of 6
Movement
What Can Forces Do?
Whenever something moves or stops, a force made it happen!
Start Moving
A still object needs a push or pull to start moving.
Change Speed
Forces can speed things up or slow them down to a stop.
Change Path
A sideways push can make a rolling ball turn.
Quick Question: What slows down a sliding sled on snow? (Friction!) Slide 3 of 6
Net Force = 0 N
Balanced Forces
Forces with the same strength pushing or pulling in opposite directions.
20 N Left
OBJECT
Stays completely still!
20 N Right
Result: Net Force = 0 Newtons
There is NO change in movement. Still things stay still!
Example: A book resting on a desk (Gravity pulls down = Desk pushes up equally) Slide 4 of 6
Net Force > 0 N
Unbalanced Forces
When one force is stronger than another, movement ALWAYS changes.
15 N Left
OBJECT
Moves to the Right ➔
35 N Right
Result: Net Force = 20 Newtons to the Right
Subtract: 35 N − 15 N = 20 N. It moves in the direction of the stronger push!
Rule: Unbalanced forces cause things to speed up, slow down, stop, or turn! Slide 5 of 6
Class Activity
Force Investigation Time!
Practice with your multiple-choice science worksheet.
Side 1
Push & Pull Forces
