Slip or Grip? Exploring Friction in Motion

Name:

Date:

Part 1: Multiple Choice & Quick Checks

We are learning to identify forces (pushes and pulls) and recognise how friction affects motion.

1. Which definition best describes a force?

A type of food

A push or a pull that can make things move

A colour or pattern on an object

2. Which action is an example of a pull?

Pushing a shopping trolley

Pulling a drawer open

Dropping a ball

3. Which surface will usually cause the most friction for a toy car?

Smooth ice

Sandpaper

Polished wooden board

4. Check all that apply: Friction can...

slow down moving objects

speed up objects without another force

act between two surfaces that touch

change the direction of motion

5. True or false: A rougher surface usually makes an object travel more slowly.

True

False

Part 2: Short Answers & Investigation

Success criteria: I can describe a force as a push or pull; I can say which surface made the car slow down the most; I can use the words force, friction, surface and motion.

Differentiation: Use sentence starters if helpful (e.g., "I predict...", "The car went slower on..."). You may draw instead of writing one answer.

Extension: Suggest one new surface to test (for example, bubble wrap) and explain why you think it will change the motion.

6. Before testing, write a prediction: Which surface will slow the toy car the most and why?

7. In your experiment your group tested sandpaper and a wooden board. Which surface made the car travel faster? Explain your observation in one sentence.

8. Draw the ramp and show with arrows the direction of the car's motion and the direction friction acts (use the drawing box).

9. Extension: Name one new surface you could test and write your prediction (use the sentence starter if you need it): "I think _______ will make the car go _______ because _______."

10. Reflection (one sentence): What is one new thing you learned today about forces or friction?