Forces in Action Worksheet for 8-Year-Olds: 20 Objective & 10 Subjective Questions on Effects of Forces

Instructions

Read each question carefully. For the first part, circle the best answer. For the second part, write your answer on the line provided.

Part 1: Multiple Choice & True/False

Circle the correct answer for each question.

1. A force is a...
   • A) type of food.
   • B) push or a pull.
   • C) color.
2. What can a force do to a moving toy car?
   • A) Speed it up
   • B) Stop it
   • C) Change its direction
   • D) All of the above
3. When you kick a soccer ball, you are using what kind of force?
   • A) A pull
   • B) A twist
   • C) A push
4. Squeezing a sponge is an example of a force changing an object's...
   • A) color.
   • B) temperature.
   • C) shape.
5. What force pulls a dropped apple to the ground?
   • A) Magnetism
   • B) Friction
   • C) Gravity
6. To make a swing go higher, you need to push it...
   • A) softer.
   • B) harder.
   • C) sideways.
7. When you open a refrigerator door, you are using a...
   • A) pull force.
   • B) push force.
   • C) gravity force.
8. Which surface would cause the MOST friction for a toy car?
   • A) A smooth, wooden floor
   • B) An icy path
   • C) A thick, fluffy carpet
9. When a baker kneads dough, the force from their hands...
   • A) changes the dough's color.
   • B) changes the dough's shape.
   • C) makes the dough float.
10. A strong wind pushing a sailboat across the water is an example of a...
    • A) pull.
    • B) push.
    • C) stop.

Read the sentences below and circle TRUE or FALSE.

11. You use a pushing force to press a button on a remote control.     TRUE / FALSE
12. Gravity is a force that pushes things away from the Earth.     TRUE / FALSE
13. A force can make a still object start to move.     TRUE / FALSE
14. Friction is a force that helps things move faster.     TRUE / FALSE
15. Pulling a friend's wagon is an example of using a force.     TRUE / FALSE
16. A force can only stop things, it cannot start them.     TRUE / FALSE
17. Stretching a rubber band does not use any force.     TRUE / FALSE
18. When you close a drawer, you are using a pushing force.     TRUE / FALSE
19. A baseball bat hitting a ball changes the ball's direction.     TRUE / FALSE
20. Forces are invisible, but we can see what they do.     TRUE / FALSE

Part 2: Short Answer Questions

Write your answer in the space below each question.

1. Name one thing a force can do to a ball that is not moving.
   
   

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2. You are pulling a friend in a wagon. What happens if you start pulling harder?
   
   

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3. What kind of force do you use to stretch a rubber band? (A push or a pull?)
   
   

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4. Give one example of a force changing the shape of an object at lunchtime.
   
   

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5. Why is it harder to ride a bicycle on sand than on a paved road?
   
   

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6. What force keeps you on your chair instead of floating into the air?
   
   

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7. Describe what a force does to a piece of paper when you crumple it up.
   
   

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8. You see a leaf falling from a tree. What force is pulling it down?
   
   

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9. How can you change the direction of a rolling marble without stopping it?
   
   

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10. Name one fun activity you do that uses a PUSHING force.
    
    

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Answer Key

Part 1: Multiple Choice & True/False

1. B) push or a pull.
2. D) All of the above
3. C) A push
4. C) shape.
5. C) Gravity
6. B) harder.
7. A) pull force.
8. C) A thick, fluffy carpet
9. B) changes the dough's shape.
10. B) push.
11. TRUE
12. FALSE
13. TRUE
14. FALSE
15. TRUE
16. FALSE
17. FALSE
18. TRUE
19. TRUE
20. TRUE

Part 2: Short Answer Questions (Sample answers; student answers may vary but should be similar.)

1. It can make the ball start moving/rolling.
2. The wagon will go faster / speed up.
3. A pull force.
4. Squashing a sandwich; squeezing a juice box; peeling a banana.
5. There is more friction on the sand, which slows the wheels down.
6. Gravity.
7. The force changes the paper's shape.
8. Gravity.
9. By gently tapping or pushing it from the side.
10. Swinging on a swing; pushing a toy car; pressing buttons on a game controller.