Force Basics
What is a force in science?
A push or a pull on an object.
What happens when forces are equal?
The object stays still or moves evenly
What is friction between objects?
A force that slows things down.
What does gravity always do?
It pulls things down toward Earth.
What makes a bike go faster downhill?
Gravity pulls it down the hill.
What can a force do to something?
make it start or stop moving
What happens when one force is stronger?
The object moves in that stronger direction.
Why does friction happen between things?
Because the surfaces are rough.
What is weight really measuring?
How much gravity pulls on an object.
What slows a car down when it stops?
Friction from the brakes and tires.
What unit is force measured in?
It is measured in newtons (N).
What do we call the total of all forces?
That total is called the net force.
How does friction help a car on the road?
It helps the tires grip the road so the car doesn’t slide.
What does mass tell us about something?
How much matter or stuff it has.
Why do we wear seatbelts in a car?
They stop our motion safely in a crash.
Why do heavier objects need more force to move?
Because they have more mass, which makes them harder to move.
Why does a ball slow down after you roll it?
Friction and air resistance make it slow down.
Why do shoes have tread on the bottom?
The tread gives more friction so you don’t slip.
Why do astronauts float in space?
Because there is very little gravity pulling on them.
Why is it harder to push a heavy box than a light one?
Because a heavy box has more mass and friction.
What happens if you push two objects with the same force, but one is lighter?
The lighter object will move faster or farther.
What happens to an object when unbalanced forces act on it?
It starts to move, speed up, or change direction.
Why do race cars use special tires made of softer rubber instead of hard ones?
Softer tires create more friction with the track, giving better grip and control at high speeds, even though they wear out faster.
Why would you weigh less on the Moon than Earth?
The Moon’s gravity is weaker than Earth’s gravity.
What makes a rocket lift off the ground?
The engines push down on the ground, and the rocket moves up.