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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 10-12
Forces, friction & magnetism
Take your time. Show your thinking.
1. Outside a bar magnet, in which direction do magnetic field lines point by convention: from the north pole to the south pole, or from south to north?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
2. Why do we put oil or grease on bicycle chains and door hinges: to lubricate surfaces and reduce friction, or to increase friction?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
3. What upward force from water pushes on a floating boat to balance its weight: upthrust (buoyancy) or tension?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
4. What happens to the motion of a stationary object when all forces acting on it are balanced (resultant force = 0 N): it remains stationary, or it accelerates?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
5. What happens when the north pole of one magnet is brought close to the south pole of another magnet: they attract or they repel?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
6. If a 50 N forward thrust acts on a model boat against 20 N of water resistance, what is the resultant forward force: 30 N or 70 N?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
7. What device is made by wrapping a coil of insulated wire around a soft iron core and passing an electric current through the wire: an electromagnet or a barometer?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
8. Is magnetic attraction a contact force or a non-contact force that can act across air or paper?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
9. What is the standard SI unit used to measure force: the newton (N) or the kilogram (kg)?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
10. Why do snowshoes and caterpillar tracks have a large surface area: to spread weight over a larger area and reduce pressure on soft ground, or to increase pressure?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
11. Which instrument containing a calibrated spring is used in science labs to measure forces in newtons: a newtonmeter (spring balance) or a ruler?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
12. Why do bicycle brakes press rubber pads against the wheel rim: to increase friction and slow the wheel, or to reduce gravity?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
12 questions · Seed 43 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
View the answer key
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 10-12
Forces, friction & magnetism
Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.
1. Outside a bar magnet, in which direction do magnetic field lines point by convention: from the north pole to the south pole, or from south to north?
From the north pole to the south pole
Magnetic field lines point in the direction a compass north pole would point: from north to south.
2. Why do we put oil or grease on bicycle chains and door hinges: to lubricate surfaces and reduce friction, or to increase friction?
To lubricate surfaces and reduce friction
Lubricants form a smooth film between moving metal parts, reducing wear and friction.
3. What upward force from water pushes on a floating boat to balance its weight: upthrust (buoyancy) or tension?
Upthrust (buoyancy)
Displaced water exerts an upward buoyant force (upthrust) equal to the weight of a floating boat.
4. What happens to the motion of a stationary object when all forces acting on it are balanced (resultant force = 0 N): it remains stationary, or it accelerates?
It remains stationary
By Newton’s first law, a stationary object with zero resultant force stays at rest.
5. What happens when the north pole of one magnet is brought close to the south pole of another magnet: they attract or they repel?
They attract
Opposite magnetic poles (north–south) attract each other.
6. If a 50 N forward thrust acts on a model boat against 20 N of water resistance, what is the resultant forward force: 30 N or 70 N?
30 N
Opposing forces subtract: 50 N − 20 N = 30 N forward.
7. What device is made by wrapping a coil of insulated wire around a soft iron core and passing an electric current through the wire: an electromagnet or a barometer?
Electromagnet
Electric current flowing through a solenoid around an iron core creates a controllable electromagnet.
8. Is magnetic attraction a contact force or a non-contact force that can act across air or paper?
Non-contact force
Magnetism, gravity and electrostatic forces act through fields without requiring physical contact.
9. What is the standard SI unit used to measure force: the newton (N) or the kilogram (kg)?
Newton (N)
Forces (including weight) are measured in newtons (N), whereas mass is measured in kilograms (kg).
10. Why do snowshoes and caterpillar tracks have a large surface area: to spread weight over a larger area and reduce pressure on soft ground, or to increase pressure?
To spread weight over a larger area and reduce pressure on soft ground
Pressure = force ÷ area, so increasing area reduces pressure and prevents sinking.
11. Which instrument containing a calibrated spring is used in science labs to measure forces in newtons: a newtonmeter (spring balance) or a ruler?
Newtonmeter (spring balance)
A newtonmeter measures force from the extension of its internal spring.
12. Why do bicycle brakes press rubber pads against the wheel rim: to increase friction and slow the wheel, or to reduce gravity?
To increase friction and slow the wheel
Friction between the brake pads and rim converts kinetic energy into thermal energy, slowing the bike.
12 questions · Seed 43 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 10-12
Forces, friction & magnetism
Take your time. Show your thinking.
1. Outside a bar magnet, in which direction do magnetic field lines point by convention: from the north pole to the south pole, or from south to north?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
2. Why do we put oil or grease on bicycle chains and door hinges: to lubricate surfaces and reduce friction, or to increase friction?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
3. What upward force from water pushes on a floating boat to balance its weight: upthrust (buoyancy) or tension?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
4. What happens to the motion of a stationary object when all forces acting on it are balanced (resultant force = 0 N): it remains stationary, or it accelerates?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
5. What happens when the north pole of one magnet is brought close to the south pole of another magnet: they attract or they repel?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
6. If a 50 N forward thrust acts on a model boat against 20 N of water resistance, what is the resultant forward force: 30 N or 70 N?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
7. What device is made by wrapping a coil of insulated wire around a soft iron core and passing an electric current through the wire: an electromagnet or a barometer?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
8. Is magnetic attraction a contact force or a non-contact force that can act across air or paper?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
9. What is the standard SI unit used to measure force: the newton (N) or the kilogram (kg)?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
10. Why do snowshoes and caterpillar tracks have a large surface area: to spread weight over a larger area and reduce pressure on soft ground, or to increase pressure?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
11. Which instrument containing a calibrated spring is used in science labs to measure forces in newtons: a newtonmeter (spring balance) or a ruler?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
12. Why do bicycle brakes press rubber pads against the wheel rim: to increase friction and slow the wheel, or to reduce gravity?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
12 questions · Seed 43 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 10-12
Forces, friction & magnetism
Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.
1. Outside a bar magnet, in which direction do magnetic field lines point by convention: from the north pole to the south pole, or from south to north?
From the north pole to the south pole
Magnetic field lines point in the direction a compass north pole would point: from north to south.
2. Why do we put oil or grease on bicycle chains and door hinges: to lubricate surfaces and reduce friction, or to increase friction?
To lubricate surfaces and reduce friction
Lubricants form a smooth film between moving metal parts, reducing wear and friction.
3. What upward force from water pushes on a floating boat to balance its weight: upthrust (buoyancy) or tension?
Upthrust (buoyancy)
Displaced water exerts an upward buoyant force (upthrust) equal to the weight of a floating boat.
4. What happens to the motion of a stationary object when all forces acting on it are balanced (resultant force = 0 N): it remains stationary, or it accelerates?
It remains stationary
By Newton’s first law, a stationary object with zero resultant force stays at rest.
5. What happens when the north pole of one magnet is brought close to the south pole of another magnet: they attract or they repel?
They attract
Opposite magnetic poles (north–south) attract each other.
6. If a 50 N forward thrust acts on a model boat against 20 N of water resistance, what is the resultant forward force: 30 N or 70 N?
30 N
Opposing forces subtract: 50 N − 20 N = 30 N forward.
7. What device is made by wrapping a coil of insulated wire around a soft iron core and passing an electric current through the wire: an electromagnet or a barometer?
Electromagnet
Electric current flowing through a solenoid around an iron core creates a controllable electromagnet.
8. Is magnetic attraction a contact force or a non-contact force that can act across air or paper?
Non-contact force
Magnetism, gravity and electrostatic forces act through fields without requiring physical contact.
9. What is the standard SI unit used to measure force: the newton (N) or the kilogram (kg)?
Newton (N)
Forces (including weight) are measured in newtons (N), whereas mass is measured in kilograms (kg).
10. Why do snowshoes and caterpillar tracks have a large surface area: to spread weight over a larger area and reduce pressure on soft ground, or to increase pressure?
To spread weight over a larger area and reduce pressure on soft ground
Pressure = force ÷ area, so increasing area reduces pressure and prevents sinking.
11. Which instrument containing a calibrated spring is used in science labs to measure forces in newtons: a newtonmeter (spring balance) or a ruler?
Newtonmeter (spring balance)
A newtonmeter measures force from the extension of its internal spring.
12. Why do bicycle brakes press rubber pads against the wheel rim: to increase friction and slow the wheel, or to reduce gravity?
To increase friction and slow the wheel
Friction between the brake pads and rim converts kinetic energy into thermal energy, slowing the bike.
12 questions · Seed 43 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification