Friction Force Exploration

Name:

Date:

📚 Part 1: Concepts & Predictions

1. Which statement best describes friction?

A force between two surfaces that can slow or stop motion

A type of energy produced by movement

A weather effect that makes surfaces wet

A chemical change to a surface

2. You will test a toy car on different ramp surfaces. Which surface do you predict will make the car travel the shortest distance?

Sandpaper

Smooth plastic

Carpet

Grass

3. For a fair test, which variable must be kept the same each time?

Ramp angle (incline)

Colour of the ramp

Brand of the ramp

Number of surfaces tested

4. Check all that apply: Which of the following will help reduce friction?

Adding a lubricant (oil)

Using rough sandpaper

Using a smooth, waxed surface

Increasing surface roughness

✏️ Part 2: Investigation & Short Answers

5. Prediction: Which surface tested will have the most friction? Briefly explain your reason (one–two sentences).

6. Plan a fair test: List three things your group must keep the same during every trial.

7. Data table: Use centimetres (cm). Record three trials for each surface and write an average.

Surface: ____________________________ (e.g., sandpaper / smooth plastic / carpet)
Trial 1 (cm): ____    Trial 2 (cm): ____    Trial 3 (cm): ____    Average (cm): ____

Surface: ____________________________
Trial 1 (cm): ____    Trial 2 (cm): ____    Trial 3 (cm): ____    Average (cm): ____

Surface: ____________________________
Trial 1 (cm): ____    Trial 2 (cm): ____    Trial 3 (cm): ____    Average (cm): ____

8. Reflection: How can what you learned about friction help solve a real problem (for example, designing better shoe soles or bike brakes)?