Push and Pull Forces
Grade 2 · Science · Study Guide
Every time something moves, a force is at work! Learn about pushes and pulls and how they change the way objects move.
A force is a push or a pull that makes an object move, stop, or change direction. When you kick a soccer ball, you push it forward. When you open a drawer, you pull it toward you. Forces are all around us — gravity is the force that pulls everything toward the ground!
The size of a force matters. A small push moves a toy car slowly. A bigger push makes it go faster. You can also change the direction an object moves by pushing or pulling it from different angles. If you push a ball sideways, it rolls to the side!
Friction is a force that slows things down. When an object moves across a surface, friction pushes back against it. Smooth surfaces have less friction and rough surfaces have more. This is why it is easier to slide on ice than on rough pavement. Gravity is another important force — it pulls everything toward the center of Earth, which is why things fall down when you drop them!
| Action | Type of Force | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Kicking a ball | Push | Ball moves forward |
| Opening a drawer | Pull | Drawer moves toward you |
| Dropping a book | Gravity (pull) | Book falls to the floor |
| Sliding on ice | Push + low friction | Move far with little slowing |
| Pedaling a bike | Push | Bike moves forward |
Key terms
- force
- A push or pull that makes an object move, stop, or change direction
- push
- A force that moves an object away from you
- pull
- A force that moves an object toward you
- gravity
- The force that pulls everything toward the center of Earth
- friction
- A force that slows objects down when they rub against a surface
- motion
- Movement — a change in an object's position
Flashcards
- Force
- A push or pull that makes something move, stop, or change direction
- Push
- A force that moves an object away from the source of the force
- Pull
- A force that moves an object toward the source of the force
- Gravity
- A force that pulls all objects toward the center of Earth
- Friction
- A force that slows objects down when they rub against a surface
- Motion
- A change in the position of an object — objects in motion are moving
Practice questions
What is a force?
- A type of color
- A push or pull that affects an object's motion
- A unit of temperature
- A type of energy that makes light
Show answer
Answer: A push or pull that affects an object's motion
Forces are pushes or pulls that cause objects to start moving, stop, speed up, slow down, or change direction.
Gravity is the force that pulls objects toward the center of Earth.
Show answer
Answer: True
Gravity is a pulling force that acts on all objects with mass, pulling them toward Earth's center — that is why things fall.
A force that slows objects down when they rub against a surface is called ___.
Show answer
Answer: friction
Friction is caused by the contact between two surfaces and always acts to slow moving objects down.
What happens when you use a bigger push on a toy car?
- It moves slower
- It stops immediately
- It moves faster
- It changes color
Show answer
Answer: It moves faster
A larger force creates greater acceleration — more push means more speed for the same object.
Pulling a door handle is an example of a pull force.
Show answer
Answer: True
When you pull a door handle, you are applying a pull force to move the door toward you.
Fun facts
- Gravity keeps the Moon in orbit around Earth — without it, the Moon would fly off into space!
- Race car tires are specially designed to create MORE friction so cars grip the track and don't slide!
- On the Moon, everything weighs about 6 times less because the Moon's gravity is much weaker than Earth's!
Get a personalized course on Push and Pull Forces built around your child.