Friction Worksheet for 8-Year-Olds: Understanding Direction and Effects of Friction

Instructions

Read each section and follow the directions. Have fun exploring the force of friction!

Part 1: What is Friction?

Friction is a special force that happens when two things rub against each other. It’s a force that slows things down. Think about rubbing your hands together really fast. Do they get warm? That heat is from friction!

Fill in the blank using a word from the box below.

Friction is a force that _________________________ moving objects.

Part 2: The Opposite Force

Friction is a bit of a rebel! It always pushes in the OPPOSITE direction of movement. If you push a book across a table to the right, friction pushes back to the left.

For each picture description, draw a big arrow (➜) to show which way the object is moving. Then, draw a smaller, zig-zag arrow (⇜) underneath it to show the direction of friction.

1. A girl is sliding down a slide from top to bottom.
   
   
   
2. You are pushing a toy car forward across the floor.
   
   
   
3. A baseball player is sliding into a base.
   
   
   

Part 3: More or Less Friction?

Some surfaces have a lot of grip. They are rough and create MORE friction.

Some surfaces are very slippery. They are smooth and create LESS friction.

Read about each surface. Is it rough or smooth? Circle whether it creates MORE friction or LESS friction.

• An icy pond where you go skating.
  MORE friction       LESS friction
• A sandy playground.
  MORE friction       LESS friction
• A fast, wet water slide.
  MORE friction       LESS friction
• The grass in a soccer field.
  MORE friction       LESS friction
• A waxed and shiny bowling lane.
  MORE friction       LESS friction

Part 4: Friction Investigator

Imagine you are pushing a heavy box of toys across the room.

Answer the questions below.

1. Is it easier to push the box across a smooth, tile floor or a thick, shaggy carpet?

___________________________________________________________

2. Which surface has MORE friction (the tile floor or the carpet)?

___________________________________________________________

3. Why do you think it has more friction?

___________________________________________________________

Answer Key

Part 1: What is Friction?

Friction is a force that slows down moving objects.

Part 2: The Opposite Force

1. Moving Arrow: ⬇     Friction Arrow: ⬆
2. Moving Arrow: ➜     Friction Arrow: ⇜
3. Moving Arrow: ➜     Friction Arrow: ⇜

Part 3: More or Less Friction?

• An icy pond: LESS friction
• A sandy playground: MORE friction
• A fast, wet water slide: LESS friction
• The grass in a soccer field: MORE friction
• A waxed and shiny bowling lane: LESS friction

Part 4: Friction Investigator

1. It is easier to push the box across a smooth, tile floor.
2. The carpet has MORE friction.
3. (Sample Answer) Because the carpet is rough and bumpy, it "grabs" the box more and makes it harder to slide.