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Gravity, air resistance and friction are the forces acting on a child going down a slide.

Forces 03

Forces are all around us. They push, pull, lift, and stop things. Without forces, nothing would move, fall, or even stay still!

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Fascinating Fact:

Did you know astronauts in space can sneeze themselves backwards? With no gravity holding them down, even a tiny push makes them float the other way!

In KS2 Science, pupils explore forces like gravity, friction, and magnetism. These forces explain why balls bounce, bikes stop, and planets stay in orbit around the sun.

Key Terms

Force: A push or pull that changes how something moves.
Friction: The force that slows objects when surfaces rub together.
Gravity: The invisible pull that keeps us on the Earth.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is a force in simple terms?

A force is simply a push or a pull. Forces can start things moving, stop them, or change their direction.

What are everyday examples of forces?

Examples include gravity pulling an apple down, friction slowing a sliding book, or a push opening a door.

Why is gravity important for life on Earth?

Gravity is important because it keeps our atmosphere, oceans, and even people on Earth’s surface instead of floating away into space.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

A toy plastic boat floating in a bucket of water is experiencing which forces?

Gravity and upthrust

Magnetism and gravity

Magnetism and upthrust

Water resistance and magnetism

Upthrust is the force that prevents the boat from sinking. All objects on Earth experience gravity all of the time

2 .

What forces are acting on a parachute as it falls through the air?

Upthrust and air resistance

Friction and magnetism

Gravity and air resistance

Magnetism and water resistance

Gravity pulls the parachute down and air resistance slows its fall

3 .

Imagine someone cycling up a steep hill. Which forces are being experienced by the cyclist's shoes?

Gravity, magnetism and a push

Gravity, air resistance, a push, a pull and friction

Air resistance, a push and magnetism

Gravity and water resistance

Gravity is always being exerted on objects, air resistance results from moving through the air, and friction results from the shoe's 'grip' on the pedals. The cyclist pushes down on the pedals (through the shoes) and pulls up after each push

4 .

A child at the top of a slide is experiencing balanced forces. What force is needed to start the child sliding?

Upthrust

A push

Gravity alone

Friction

At the top of the slide gravity is countered by upthrust

5 .

Catapults are designed to provide a 'push' which will be stronger than the force of gravity - the object which is being catapulted should be aerodynamic to minimise which force?

Air resistance

Upthrust

Magnetism

All of the above

Aerodynamic objects have less friction with the air and so are slowed less by air resistance

6 .

What type of force is water resistance?

Gravity

Upthrust

Friction

Water resistance is not a force

Water resistance slows things down, just like air resistance

7 .

A row boat being rowed across a lake is experiencing which forces?

Gravity and upthrust

Gravity and water resistance

Gravity, upthrust and water resistance

Gravity, upthrust, water resistance, air resistance and a push

The push comes from the rowing of the oars pushing the boat forwards through the water

8 .

Which forces are acting on a child who is going down a slide?

Gravity, air resistance and friction

Gravity, air resistance and water resistance

Gravity, magnetism and friction

Gravity only

Gravity pulls the child downwards, friction from the slide and air resistance both slow the child down

9 .

What type of force is air resistance?

A pull

Friction

Gravity

Magnetism

Air resistance and water resistance are both types of friction - air resistance is the friction an object experiences when moving through air and water resistance is the friction an object experiences when moving through water

10 .

Which forces do the tyres on a moving bicycle experience?

Gravity and a push

Gravity, upthrust, air resistance and magnetism

Gravity, water resistance and friction

Gravity, friction, upthrust, air resistance and a push

Although it can be hard to imagine, the road is exerting upthrust on the bike's tyres - this is the force that prevents the bike from sinking through the road!

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Forces

Author: Sheri Smith (PhD English Literature, English Teacher & Quiz Writer)