Force Fields Action

Physicist Synthesis Question

Compare Station A and Station B. What is one major similarity in how both forces caused motion without touching?

Grade 4 Physical Science • Week 1 Page 2 of 2

Force Action

Attract

verb • to pull together

To pull an object closer through a force. Occurs between opposite poles (N-S) or charges (+ -).

Example: A magnet attracts a steel paperclip across the table.

Force Action

Repel

verb • to push away

To push an object away through a force. Occurs between matching poles (N-N) or charges (+ +).

Example: Two North poles repel and cannot be easily pushed together.

Contact Force

Friction

noun • rubbing resistance

A contact force that opposes motion when two surfaces slide or roll against each other.

Example: Bicycle brakes press pads on wheels to create stopping friction.

Non-Contact

Gravity

noun • universal pulling force

A non-contact pulling force that attracts all objects toward Earth's center.

Example: When you drop an apple, gravity pulls it down to the ground.

Materials

Magnetic Material

noun • iron, nickel, cobalt, steel

Any material that is attracted to a magnet. Not all metals are magnetic!

Example: Steel paperclips are magnetic; copper pennies are not.

Science Pattern

Distance & Strength

concept • force relationship

The scientific rule that non-contact forces (magnetic and electric) get weaker as distance grows.

Example: Moving a magnet farther away makes its pull on a paperclip drop.

Forces in Balance

Balanced Forces

concept • equal & opposite

When equal forces act on an object in opposite directions, resulting in no change in motion.

Example: A book resting motionless on a desk has balanced forces.

Forces in Action

Unbalanced Forces

concept • net force present

When one force is greater than opposing forces, causing an object to start moving or change speed.

Example: A strong push makes a stationary ball roll forward.

Grade 4 Physical Science • Vocabulary Set B Page 2 of 2

5 Lessons (45 min/day)

Daily Flow: D1: Comparison Matrix Review Slides ➜ D2: Clean-Up Bot STEM Challenge ➜ D3: Design Showcase & Peer Review ➜ D4: Summative Assessment ➜ D5: Reflection & Extension.

Key Materials: Forces Review Slides, Forces Master Assessment, STEM Rubrics.

Differentiation Strategies

• • Support (IEP/ELL): Provide sentence stems, paired station buddies, and tactile flashcard manipulatives.
• • Extension (Advanced): Have students calculate exact percentage reductions of force per cm of distance or design two-stage magnetic launchers.

Misconception Alerts

• • "All metals are magnetic": Remind students that copper, aluminum, and gold are non-magnetic.
• • "Forces only exist when moving": Balanced forces act on stationary objects constantly.

Station Rotation Management (10 min/station)

Set up 4 physical pods with 5–6 students per pod. Use an audible chime timer to manage transitions: 8 minutes active inquiry + 2 minutes station cleanup and notebook recording.

Grade 4 Physical Science • 5-Week Master Pacing Roadmap Page 2 of 2

Force Classification (3 pts): “This is a non-contact force because the magnetic field pushes the top ring upward across empty space without the magnets physically touching.”

Station B: Electric Paper Jump (6 Points Total) Static Charge

Expected Observation (3 pts): “When held 2 cm above, tiny paper dots suddenly flutter and jump upward through the air, sticking to the charged comb.”

Force Classification & Mechanism (3 pts): “No, the comb did not touch the paper before it moved. The paper was moved by an electrostatic non-contact force pulling it across the air gap.”

Synthesis Question: Comparing Station A & B (4 Points Total) PS.4.1 Core Standard

Exemplar Student Response (Full 4/4 Credit): “Both stations demonstrated non-contact forces causing objects to move across empty air without physical contact. In Station A, magnetic repulsion pushed a magnet upward; in Station B, electrostatic attraction pulled paper upward.”

4 Pts (Exemplary) Mentions non-contact forces acting across air/distance in both stations.

3 Pts (Proficient) States both move without touching, but omits non-contact vocabulary.

2 Pts (Developing) Describes only one station or repeats observations without comparison.

1 Pt (Minimal) Incomplete or factually inaccurate comparison.

Grade 4 Physical Science • Week 1 Pacing Page 2 of 2

Based on the data table, which magnet has the strongest magnetic field? State two pieces of evidence from the table to support your answer:

6. Extended Science Response (PS.4.1.1 & PS.4.1.2)

Compare magnetic forces and electrostatic forces. Explain:
(1) One way they are alike in how they cause motion without touching, and
(2) One difference in what creates each type of force (poles vs charges).

Grade 4 Physical Science • Week 5 Assessment Page 2 of 2

Claim (1 pt) Explicitly identifies Magnet Z as the strongest magnet.

Evidence 1 (2 pts) Cites highest clip count in open air (15 clips vs 8 or 4).

Evidence 2 (2 pts) Cites barrier penetration data (cardboard: 11 clips; wood: 7 clips).

Question 6: Synthesis Written Response (8 Points Total) PS.4.1.1 & PS.4.1.2 Synthesis

Exemplar Student Response (Full 8/8 Credit):

“Similarity: Both magnetic and electrostatic forces are non-contact forces that can attract (pull) or repel (push) objects across space without physical contact. Both forces become weaker as the distance between objects increases.
Difference: Magnetic forces are produced by magnetic poles (North and South) inside magnetic materials. In contrast, electrostatic forces are produced by electrical charges (positive and negative) that build up when electrons rub off from one object to another.”

Unit Grade Scale: Advanced (A): 23–25 pts (92–100%) Proficient (B): 20–22 pts (80–88%) Basic (C): 18–19 pts (72–76%) Below Basic: ≤17 pts (<72%)

Force Fields Action Unit • Master Assessment Rubric Page 2 of 2