Force, Motion, Simple Machines

A fourth grade class with 24 students is playing tug of war with a rope against their teacher. Which of the following BEST describes the expected outcome?

• The results cannot be predicted since balanced and unbalanced forces are random.

• The 24 students will win since the forces are unbalanced because they will have more force pulling on their side compared to the one teacher.

• Should the teacher use a lever to lift and move the classroom objects from one place to another?

Tags

NGSS.3-PS2-1

Which picture shows an unbalanced force?

• Picture B, because the cat sleeping is an unbalanced force on the couch.

• Picture C, because the pictures hanging are an unbalanced force on the wall.

• Picture D, because the girl kicking the soccer ball shows an unbalanced force.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

David and his friend Delia arrive at the playground. David and his friend are so much alike. They are the same age, the same height, and they even weigh the same. They can't wait to play on the new seesaw at the playground. David hops onto one side and Delia hops onto the other. What will most likely happen to David and Delia on the seesaw?

• David and Delia will not move because their forces are balanced

• David and Delia will not move because their forces are unbalanced

• David will move up, and Delia will move down because their forces are unbalanced.

Tags

NGSS.3-PS2-1

A teacher is moving classrooms across the school and wants to make the move as easy as possible. Which of the following questions should the teacher ask to determine the best simple machine to use for the move?

• Should the teacher use an inclined plane to push all of the classroom objects from one place to another?

• Should the teacher use a wheel and axle to move the classroom objects from one place to another?

• Should the teacher use a lever to lift and move the classroom objects from one place to another?

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-1

The diagram below shows a lever with a stone fulcrum and a box. Josephine is trying to lift the box off the ground. Josephine placed the fulcrum between Point B and Point C and could not lift the box. What question should she ask to figure out where to place the fulcrum to minimize the amount of force she will need to use?

• Should Josephine place the fulcrum at point C since it is between the fulcrum and the load, which will minimize the force needed to lift the box?

• Should Josephine place the fulcrum at point D since it is closest to the load and furthest from the force applied, which will minimize the force needed to lift the box?

• Should Josephine place the fulcrum at point B since it is further from the load and closer to the fulcrum, which will minimize the force needed to lift the box?

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

A fourth grade student wants to investigate how friction affects the motion of a ball rolling on different surfaces after rolling down a ramp. Which of the following best explains the results of the investigation?

• The ball rolling on the tile shows an unbalanced force since there was less friction than when the ball rolled on the carpet.

• The ball rolling on the carpet shows an unbalanced force since there was less friction than when the ball rolled on the tile.

• The ball rolling on the tile shows a balanced force since there was less friction than when the ball rolled on the carpet.

Tags

NGSS.3-PS2-1

NGSS.3-PS2-2

Marissa grows two marigold plants in two hanging pots. She plants one marigold upright and she plants the other upside down, as seen in the picture above. Both marigolds' roots grow downward. What evidence could Marissa use to support the claim gravitational force affects the motion of an object?

• The roots grow downward because the plants are hanging from a hook.

• The roots grow downward because they are affected by the force of gravity.

• The roots grow downward because they are trying to get to reach the air below the pots.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

 A student is trying to move boxes of books. All of the books are the same size and weight. One box has 2 books and another box has 10 books.  Why would evidence could you use to support the claim that you need more force to move the box with 10 books?

• It will take more force because all of the books weigh the same. 

• It will take more force because gravity is pulling less on the box with more books.

• It will take more force because gravity is pulling more on the box with more books.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

A student is helping their parents set up a bedroom in a loft. The staircase to the loft is circular, so the parents realize that they will not be able to carry the furniture upstairs. What question should the student ask the parents to help them figure out how to solve this problem?

• Can we use a lever to place the furniture on one side and the family can stand on the other?

• Should we create an inclined ramp so we can push all of the furniture to the loft upstairs?

• Can we create a pulley system to attach the furniture and pull it up to the loft?

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

A student claims that whenever they kick a soccer ball in the air, the force of gravity impacts the soccer ball. Which piece of evidence would support the student's claim.

• The soccer ball moves at a quick speed the moment the student kicks the soccer ball.

• The soccer ball slows down and falls towards the ground.

• The soccer ball goes up towards the sky when kicked.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4