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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 7-9
Forces, friction & magnetism
Take your time. Show your thinking.
1. 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)
2. 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)
3. Why do swimmers and high-speed trains have streamlined shapes: to reduce water or air resistance (drag), or to increase mass?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
4. 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)
5. 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)
6. What happens to an object already moving at constant velocity in a straight line if the resultant force acting on it is zero: it continues at the same constant velocity, or it stops instantly?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
7. Which group of three metallic elements are strongly ferromagnetic at room temperature: iron, nickel and cobalt, or gold, silver and copper?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
8. Which contact force acts between two surfaces sliding past each other and opposes motion: friction or magnetism?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
9. 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)
10. 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)
11. 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)
12. Where is the magnetic field around a bar magnet strongest: at the two poles, or in the exact middle?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
12 questions · Seed 46 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
View the answer key
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 7-9
Forces, friction & magnetism
Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Why do swimmers and high-speed trains have streamlined shapes: to reduce water or air resistance (drag), or to increase mass?
To reduce water or air resistance (drag)
A streamlined profile lets fluid flow smoothly around the body, minimising drag.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. What happens to an object already moving at constant velocity in a straight line if the resultant force acting on it is zero: it continues at the same constant velocity, or it stops instantly?
It continues at the same constant velocity
By Newton’s first law, zero resultant force means zero acceleration, so velocity remains constant.
7. Which group of three metallic elements are strongly ferromagnetic at room temperature: iron, nickel and cobalt, or gold, silver and copper?
Iron, nickel and cobalt
Iron, nickel and cobalt (and alloys like steel) are strongly attracted to magnets.
8. Which contact force acts between two surfaces sliding past each other and opposes motion: friction or magnetism?
Friction
Friction acts in the direction opposite to sliding motion and generates heat.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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).
12. Where is the magnetic field around a bar magnet strongest: at the two poles, or in the exact middle?
At the two poles
Magnetic field lines are most concentrated at the north and south poles of a bar magnet.
12 questions · Seed 46 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 7-9
Forces, friction & magnetism
Take your time. Show your thinking.
1. 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)
2. 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)
3. Why do swimmers and high-speed trains have streamlined shapes: to reduce water or air resistance (drag), or to increase mass?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
4. 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)
5. 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)
6. What happens to an object already moving at constant velocity in a straight line if the resultant force acting on it is zero: it continues at the same constant velocity, or it stops instantly?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
7. Which group of three metallic elements are strongly ferromagnetic at room temperature: iron, nickel and cobalt, or gold, silver and copper?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
8. Which contact force acts between two surfaces sliding past each other and opposes motion: friction or magnetism?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
9. 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)
10. 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)
11. 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)
12. Where is the magnetic field around a bar magnet strongest: at the two poles, or in the exact middle?
N [Magnet] S → Magnetic Pull / Friction · Opposite poles attract (N ↔ S)
12 questions · Seed 46 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 7-9
Forces, friction & magnetism
Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Why do swimmers and high-speed trains have streamlined shapes: to reduce water or air resistance (drag), or to increase mass?
To reduce water or air resistance (drag)
A streamlined profile lets fluid flow smoothly around the body, minimising drag.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. What happens to an object already moving at constant velocity in a straight line if the resultant force acting on it is zero: it continues at the same constant velocity, or it stops instantly?
It continues at the same constant velocity
By Newton’s first law, zero resultant force means zero acceleration, so velocity remains constant.
7. Which group of three metallic elements are strongly ferromagnetic at room temperature: iron, nickel and cobalt, or gold, silver and copper?
Iron, nickel and cobalt
Iron, nickel and cobalt (and alloys like steel) are strongly attracted to magnets.
8. Which contact force acts between two surfaces sliding past each other and opposes motion: friction or magnetism?
Friction
Friction acts in the direction opposite to sliding motion and generates heat.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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).
12. Where is the magnetic field around a bar magnet strongest: at the two poles, or in the exact middle?
At the two poles
Magnetic field lines are most concentrated at the north and south poles of a bar magnet.
12 questions · Seed 46 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification