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Physical Science: Forces and Newton's Law- PHS.5 - Printable Science Worksheets grade 10 - Wayground

Physical Science: Forces and Newton's Law- PHS.5

15 questions

10th - 10th Grade

Science

This Grade 10 physical science worksheet builds understanding of forces, Newton’s laws of motion, and related terminology through 15 varied tasks. Students draw force and motion diagrams for a satellite orbiting Earth, falling and rolling balls, and a momentum scenario; write explanations comparing static, sliding, and rolling friction; and respond to questions about inertia, air resistance, gravity, weightlessness, and why a crumpled paper falls differently from an uncrumpled sheet. Eight multiple-choice items reinforce terms such as centripetal force, momentum, terminal velocity, and the three laws of motion. Designed for science instruction, review, or assessment, the worksheet asks students to connect vocabulary with visual models, written reasoning, and a momentum calculation. The drawing and open-ended prompts provide evidence of whether students can explain how forces affect motion rather than simply recognize definitions. It is a free printable worksheet with a complete answer key, making it practical for independent work, class discussion, or a formative check of Grade 10 physical science understanding.

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Physical Science: Forces and Newton's Law- PHS.5

Total questions: 15

Name
Class
Date
1.

Illustrate your answer: Draw a diagram representing a satellite orbiting Earth. Add three arrows to the diagram to indicate the effects of

A. Inertia

B. Gravity

C. The path you would predict results from the effects of inertia and gravity.

LABEL the arrows: A. Inertia B. Gravity C. Path.

Illustrate your answer: Draw a diagram representing a satellite orbiting Earth. Add three arrows to the diagram to indicate…
2.

Evaluate: “If gravity causes everything to fall with the same acceleration,” a friend asks, “then
 why does a crumpled piece of paper fall faster than an uncrumpled one?” How would you
 answer?

4 lines
3.

Compare and contrast:

1. static friction

2. sliding friction

3. rolling friction.

4 lines
4.

Explain: Newton’s first law of motion states that an object moves at a constant velocity unless an unbalanced force acts on it. This means that a moving object will continue to move in a straight line at a constant speed unless an unbalanced force acts on it. If an object is at rest, its velocity is zero and it stays at rest unless an unbalanced force acts on it. You might have seen the law of inertia without even knowing it. (Think about the examples that we discussed in class.) Give a discriptive explanation of an example we discussed. You may upload images to assist in explaining your answer.

4 lines
5.

Illustrate your answer: Draw a diagram indicating the path of a ball:

1. The ball is placed on the edge of a table and allowed to fall to the floor.

2. The ball is rolled rapidly across the table and falls onto the floor.

Illustrate your answer: Draw a diagram indicating the path of a ball: 1. The ball is placed on the edge of a table and…
6.

Show your work: If a 2-kg ball is thrown through the air at 20 m/s, what is the momentum of the ball?

Show your work: If a 2-kg ball is thrown through the air at 20 m/s, what is the momentum of the ball?
7.

Think: How is something "weightless?" Give your response.

4 lines
8.

Essential Terminology: When an object moves in a circle, ________acts to accelerate the object toward the center of that circle.

a)

terminal velocity

b)

centripetal force

c)

air resistance

d)

momentum

9.

Essential Terminology: The force exerted by air on a moving object is called ____________.

a)

Air resistance

b)

Momentum

c)

Static Friction

d)

Gravity

10.

Essential Terminology: ________is the force that every object in the universe exerts on every other object.

a)

Air resistance

b)

Gravity

c)

Inertia

d)

Friction

11.

Essential Terminology: A property of a moving object resulting from its mass and velocity is _____________.

a)

Weight

b)

Distance

c)

Momentum

d)

Net Force

12.

Essential Terminology: An object's ______ is the measure of the force of gravity on that object.

a)

Mass

b)

Weight

c)

Force

d)

Lenght

13.

Essential Terminology: The largest velocity reached by a falling object is its __________.

a)

Sliding friction

b)

Static Friction

c)

net force

d)

Terminal velocity

14.

Recognize: The phrase "to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction" is

a)

Newton's First Law

b)

Newton's Second Law

c)

Newton's Third Law

15.

Recognize: Which law explains the following: A net force acting on an object causes the object to accelerate in the direction of the force.

a)

Newton's First Law

b)

Newton's Second Law

c)

Newton's Third Law

WaygroundAnswer Key

Physical Science: Forces and Newton's Law- PHS.5

Total questions: 15

1.
n/a
2.
n/a
3.
n/a
4.
n/a
5.
n/a
6.
n/a
7.
n/a
8.
b)

centripetal force

9.
a)

Air resistance

10.
b)

Gravity

11.
c)

Momentum

12.
b)

Weight

13.
d)

Terminal velocity

14.
c)

Newton's Third Law

15.
b)

Newton's Second Law

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FAQs

What does this forces and Newton’s laws worksheet cover?

This Grade 10 worksheet combines three drawing tasks, four open-ended explanations, and eight multiple-choice terminology questions to assess how forces affect motion. Students model inertia and gravity in a satellite orbit, compare friction types, explain Newton’s laws, trace falling-ball paths, calculate momentum, and identify terms including centripetal force, air resistance, weight, and terminal velocity.

How can I use this worksheet to teach Newton’s laws and forces?

Use the drawing prompts first to have students represent forces and motion visually, such as the separate effects of inertia and gravity on an orbiting satellite. Then use the open-ended questions to discuss friction, falling objects, weightlessness, and familiar examples of inertia before assigning the multiple-choice terminology items as a check for precise vocabulary and law identification.

What mistakes should I watch for when students complete this worksheet?

Watch for students placing the satellite’s path arrow in the same direction as only gravity or only inertia instead of showing the combined result, and for confusing the two falling-ball paths in the table scenario. Students may also mix up mass and weight, centripetal force and momentum, or Newton’s three laws; in the momentum item, check that they use both the given mass and velocity rather than selecting a term without showing work.

How do I assign and grade this forces and Newton’s laws worksheet?

This worksheet is available as a printable PDF and as a digital quiz on Wayground, and it includes a complete answer key for checking the multiple-choice, drawing, and written responses. Printable submissions can be graded by scanning student work with the Wayground for Teachers app.

How can I differentiate this forces and Newton’s laws worksheet for my students?

In the worksheet’s Advanced Settings, adjust font spacing or font size to give students more room for the satellite, ball-path, and momentum drawings or their written explanations. You can also apply a dyslexia-friendly font or translate the worksheet into another language while keeping the same force, friction, and Newton’s laws tasks.

Where can I find more worksheets like this on Wayground?

Wayground offers a comprehensive collection of free printable worksheets and practice problems across subjects, with downloadable PDFs and answer keys to support essential skills and concepts. Browse more resources at https://wayground.com/en-us/worksheets.

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