Grade 3 Science Worksheet on Friction & Gravity: Measuring Forces with Diagrams & Activities

Instructions

Read each question carefully. Answer all the questions to the best of your ability. For drawing questions, use the boxes provided.

Part A: Multiple Choice

Circle the correct answer for each question.

1. What is the force that pulls everything towards the center of the Earth?
   • A) Friction
   • B) Magnetism
   • C) Gravity
   • D) Push
2. What is the force that slows things down when they rub against each other?
   • A) Gravity
   • B) Friction
   • C) Float
   • D) Speed
3. Which tool do scientists use to measure the strength of a force?
   • A) A ruler
   • B) A thermometer
   • C) A spring scale
   • D) A clock
4. Which surface would have the MOST friction?
   • A) An ice rink
   • B) A wet floor
   • C) A glass window
   • D) A sandy path
5. When you are sliding down a park slide, what force is pulling you downwards?
   • A) Friction
   • B) Gravity
   • C) Air
   • D) Your hands

Part B: True or False

Read each sentence. Circle True if the statement is correct or False if it is incorrect.

6. Gravity is a force that pushes things away from the Earth. True / False
7. Friction helps the brakes on a bicycle work. True / False
8. A smooth, icy surface has very high friction. True / False
9. The force of gravity is what keeps the Moon orbiting the Earth. True / False
10. Rubbing your hands together quickly makes them feel warm because of friction. True / False

Part C: Fill in the Blanks

Choose the correct word from the word bank to complete each sentence.

11. The force that makes a dropped pencil fall to the floor is called ____________________.
12. A bumpy, ____________________ surface like a carpet creates more friction.
13. A bowling lane is very smooth so there is ____________________ friction to slow down the ball.
14. When you try to push a heavy box, ____________________ is the force that pushes back against you.
15. We measure force in units called ____________________.

Part D: Matching Activity

Draw a line to match the Situation on the left with the best Explanation on the right.

Part E: Short Answers

Write your answer on the line below each question.

1. Why is it much harder to ride a bicycle on a sandy beach than on a smooth road?

   __________________________________________________________________

2. If there were no gravity on Earth, name two things that would happen.

   1. __________________________________________________________________

   2. __________________________________________________________________

3. Give one example of how friction is helpful when you are at school.

   __________________________________________________________________

4. Give one example of how friction can be a problem.

   __________________________________________________________________

5. A bowling ball and a balloon are dropped at the same time. Which one is pulled down by gravity with more force? Why?

   __________________________________________________________________

6. A spring scale is a tool to measure force. If you use it to pull a heavy rock and then a small pebble, which object would make the spring stretch MORE? Why?

   __________________________________________________________________

Part F: Draw and Label

Follow the instructions for each box.

7. Draw a book resting on a table. Draw and label an arrow showing the force of gravity pulling it down.
8. Draw a person sliding down a slide. Draw and label one arrow for gravity (pulling down) and another arrow for friction (slowing the slide).
9. In the box below, draw a surface that has a LOT of friction. (Example: a rocky road, a shaggy carpet).
10. In the box below, draw a surface that has very LITTLE friction. (Example: an ice rink, a wet floor).

Answer Key

Part A: Multiple Choice

1. C) Gravity
2. B) Friction
3. C) A spring scale
4. D) A sandy path
5. B) Gravity

Part B: True or False

6. False
7. True
8. False
9. True
10. True

Part C: Fill in the Blanks

11. gravity
12. rough
13. less
14. friction
15. Newtons

Part D: Matching Activity

16. 16 -> C. Gravity pulls it back down to the ground.
17. 17 -> A. High friction helps you stop safely. (Also acceptable is D from the student's perspective, but A is the best fit for shoes with grips) The best answer is A because "grips" implies helpful friction.
18. 18 -> E. High friction from the rug makes it stop quickly.
19. 19 -> B. Gravity pulls the water down to the lowest point.
20. 20 -> D. Low friction makes it feel slippery and dangerous.

Correct Matches: 16-C, 17-A, 18-E, 19-B, 20-D

Part E: Short Answers (Example Answers)

1. The sand is rough and creates much more friction, which slows the wheels down.
2. 1. We would all float away. 2. Objects would not fall down when we dropped them.
3. Friction from the eraser on my pencil helps me fix mistakes. / Friction on the bottom of my shoes keeps me from slipping in the hall.
4. It wears out the tires on a car. / It can cause rug burn. / It makes it hard to push heavy furniture.
5. The bowling ball. It has more mass, so gravity pulls on it with a stronger force.
6. The heavy rock would make it stretch more because a greater force is needed to pull a heavier object.

Part F: Draw and Label (Example Descriptions)

7. Drawing shows a book on a table with a single arrow pointing straight down, labeled "Gravity".
8. Drawing shows a person on a slide. An arrow points down towards the ground, labeled "Gravity". Another arrow points up the slide, against the direction of movement, labeled "Friction".
9. Drawing shows a rough texture, like jagged rocks, bumpy sand, or thick carpet fibers.
10. Drawing shows a very smooth, flat surface, perhaps with shiny lines to indicate ice or a puddle of water.