Forces and Motion Quiz

Grade 4 · Science · Quiz

Test your knowledge of forces, gravity, friction, and Newton's laws of motion.

Questions

1. What unit is used to measure force?

   1. Meter
   2. Newton
   3. Kilogram
   4. Joule
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   Answer: Newton

   Force is measured in Newtons (N), named after scientist Isaac Newton who developed the laws of motion.

2. A book resting on a table has balanced forces. What does this mean?

   1. It will slide off the table
   2. Gravity and the table's support force are equal
   3. There are no forces acting on it
   4. It is about to fall
   Show answer

   Answer: Gravity and the table's support force are equal

   When a book rests on a table, gravity pulls it down and the table pushes up with equal force — balanced forces mean no movement.

3. Which surface would create the MOST friction?

   1. Ice rink
   2. Waxed floor
   3. Sandpaper
   4. Wet tile
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   Answer: Sandpaper

   Sandpaper has the roughest surface, creating the most friction. Rough surfaces have more microscopic bumps that resist motion.

4. What property causes a ball to keep rolling after you stop pushing it?

   1. Gravity
   2. Friction
   3. Inertia
   4. Air resistance
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   Answer: Inertia

   Inertia is the tendency of a moving object to keep moving. A ball continues rolling because of inertia until friction and air resistance stop it.

5. An unbalanced force causes a change in an object's motion.

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   Answer: True

   Unbalanced forces create a net force in one direction, causing objects to accelerate (speed up, slow down, or change direction).

6. Gravity only acts on very heavy objects.

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   Answer: False

   Gravity acts on ALL objects with mass, no matter how light or heavy. Even a feather is pulled down by gravity.

7. Air resistance is a type of friction.

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   Answer: True

   Air resistance is friction between an object and air molecules. It slows down objects moving through the air.

8. The force that pulls objects toward Earth's center is called ___.

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   Answer: gravity

   Gravity is Earth's pulling force that attracts all objects toward its center. The more mass an object has, the stronger gravity's pull.

9. When you push a door open, you are applying a ___ force.

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   Answer: push

   A force is either a push or a pull. Pushing a door open applies a pushing force to the door.

10. Why do objects fall to the ground when you drop them?

    1. They are pushed down by air
    2. Gravity pulls them toward Earth
    3. Friction pulls them down
    4. They run out of energy
    Show answer

    Answer: Gravity pulls them toward Earth

    Earth's gravitational force constantly pulls all objects with mass toward Earth's center, causing them to fall when unsupported.

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