Page 1: Physics Around Us

Physics helps us understand how objects move, how energy changes, and how forces affect things around us.

Vocabulary Preview

1. force

2. energy

3. gravity

4. vibration

A. a quick back-and-forth movement

B. a push or pull

C. the ability to cause change

D. a force that pulls objects towards Earth

5. Write one example of physics you notice at home or at school.

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Page 2: Forces—Pushes and Pulls

A force is a push or a pull. A force can start, stop, speed up, slow down, or change the direction of an object.

1. Circle the best answer: Opening a drawer is mainly a:

push

pull

2. Write push or pull.

a) Kicking a ball: __________ b) Tugging a rope: __________

c) Closing a cupboard door: __________ d) Using a magnet to move a paper clip: __________

3. True or false?

a) A force can change an object's direction. __________

b) A force can never stop a moving object. __________

4. Draw arrows to show the force when a child pushes a box to the right.

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Page 3: Gravity and Friction

Gravity pulls objects towards Earth. Friction is a force that happens when surfaces rub together. Friction can slow moving objects.

1. Choose the best answer: Which force pulls a dropped pencil down?

gravity

light

sound

2. Check all the examples where friction is useful.

Walking without slipping

Braking a bicycle

Sliding on smooth ice

Holding a pencil

3. Predict: Which surface will let a toy car travel farthest?

carpet smooth floor rough pavement

4. Explain how you could make a toy car slow down using friction.

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Page 4: Motion and Speed

An object is in motion when its position changes. Speed describes how quickly an object moves. A faster object travels farther in the same amount of time.

1. Circle the object that is most likely moving fastest.

a bicycle travelling 5 kilometres in one hour

a car travelling 60 kilometres in one hour

a person walking 3 kilometres in one hour

2. Complete the table after observing a toy moving safely in a clear space.

Prediction: Which surface will allow the toy to travel farthest? ____________________

Surface: ____________________ Distance travelled: __________ metres

3. Describe one way to make the toy move faster.

4. Draw arrows showing the direction of motion of a ball rolling towards the left.

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Page 5: Simple Machines

Simple machines make work easier by changing the size or direction of a force. Examples include a lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, and screw.

1. ramp

2. doorknob

3. seesaw

4. knife

A. wedge

B. wheel and axle

C. inclined plane

D. lever

5. Which simple machine is used to lift a flag up a flagpole?

pulley

wedge

screw

6. Draw and label one simple machine you have seen. Include an arrow to show where the force is applied.

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Page 6: Energy

Energy is the ability to cause change. Energy can move from one object to another or change form.

1. Match each example to its main form of energy.

1. a ringing bell

2. a lit lamp

3. a moving skateboard

4. a warm bowl of soup

A. light energy

B. sound energy

C. thermal energy

D. movement energy

5. Complete the energy change: A battery-powered torch changes __________ energy into __________ energy.

6. Check all the sources of energy.

Sun

Moving water

Food

An empty box

7. Describe one energy change you observe during recess.

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Page 7: Light and Shadows

Light travels from a source. A shadow forms when an object blocks light. A shadow is usually darkest when the object is close to the light source.

1. Circle the light sources.

Sun

Moon

candle flame

mirror

2. Put these in order to show how a shadow forms: screen, light source, object.

____________________ → ____________________ → ____________________

3. Investigation: Place an object between a torch and a wall. Move the object closer to the torch. What happens to the shadow?

4. Draw the light source, object, and shadow. Label each part.

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Page 8: Sound and Vibrations

Sound is made by vibrations. Vibrations are quick back-and-forth movements. Sound travels through materials such as air, water, and solids.

1. True or false?

a) A vibrating object can make sound. __________

b) Sound can travel through air. __________

c) A sound is made when an object stays completely still. __________

2. Which action makes a ruler vibrate?

Holding it still

Plucking the part hanging over a desk

3. Predict: What will happen to the sound if a stretched rubber band is plucked more strongly?

4. Draw a sound-making object and use wavy lines to show its vibrations.

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Page 9: Heat, Temperature, and Electricity

Temperature tells us how hot or cold something is. We measure it in degrees Celsius (°C). Electricity can flow through a complete circuit.

1. Which temperature is warmer?

5°C

25°C

2. Sort each item as a conductor or an insulator.

metal spoon: ____________________ rubber glove: ____________________

wooden ruler: ____________________ copper wire: ____________________

3. Check all the parts needed for a simple circuit.

energy source, such as a battery

wires

light bulb

an open gap in every wire

4. Draw a complete circuit with a battery, wires, and a bulb. Label the parts.

Safety: Use only classroom batteries and follow your teacher's directions. Never use wall outlets.

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Page 10: Review Quiz and Physics Investigation

1. A force is a:

push or pull

colour or shape

2. The force that pulls objects towards Earth is __________.

3. Friction usually makes a moving object:

slow down

become invisible

4. Name one simple machine: ____________________

5. A shadow forms when an object blocks __________.

6. Sound is made by __________.

Design a Physics Investigation

Choose a safe question, such as “Which surface lets a toy car travel farthest?”

My question: ____________________________________________________________

My prediction: _________________________________________________________

What I will change: ____________________________________________________

What I will observe or measure: _________________________________________

Teacher answer key: Page 1: 1-B, 2-C, 3-D, 4-A. Page 2: 1 pull; 2 a push, b pull, c push, d pull; 3 a true, b false. Page 3: 1 gravity; 2 walking, braking a bicycle, holding a pencil. Page 4: car; other answers depend on observations. Page 5: 1-C, 2-B, 3-D, 4-A; 5 pulley. Page 6: 1-B, 2-A, 3-D, 4-C; 5 chemical energy to light energy; 6 Sun, moving water, food. Page 7: 1 Sun and candle flame; 2 light source, object, screen. Page 8: 1 a true, b true, c false; 2 plucking; 3 usually a louder sound. Page 9: 1 25°C; 2 metal spoon—conductor, rubber glove—insulator, wooden ruler—insulator, copper wire—conductor; 3 battery, wires, and bulb.

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