Science Quiz for Grade 3

What is a force?

• A push or pull

• A type of animal

• A kind of food

• A color

Answer explanation

A force is defined as a push or pull that can cause an object to move or change its motion. This definition clearly distinguishes it from the other options, which do not relate to the concept of force.

What happens when you push a door?

• The door moves toward you

• The door moves away from you

• The door disappears

• The door changes color

Answer explanation

When you push a door, it typically moves away from you, opening outward. The other options, such as disappearing or changing color, do not occur when a door is pushed.

What do you do when you pull something?

• Move it away from you

• Move it toward you

• Make it fly

• Make it bigger

Answer explanation

When you pull something, you are typically moving it toward you. Therefore, the correct action is to 'Move it toward you', not away. The other options do not accurately describe the action of pulling.

What kind of force is needed to move a heavy object?

• A weak force

• A strong force

• No force at all

• A soft push

Answer explanation

To move a heavy object, a strong force is required to overcome its inertia and weight. A weak force or a soft push would not be sufficient to initiate movement.

What can make a swing start moving?

• A push or a pull

• Standing next to it

• Singing to it

• Ignoring it

Answer explanation

A swing starts moving when it is acted upon by an external force. A push or a pull provides that force, allowing the swing to gain momentum. The other options do not apply any force to initiate movement.

What force helps a rocket go up into the sky?

• Gravity

• Push from the rocket engines

• Wind

• Water

Answer explanation

The force that helps a rocket go up is the push from the rocket engines. This thrust overcomes gravity, allowing the rocket to ascend into the sky.

What is gravity?

• A pull that makes things float

• A push that keeps things up

• A force that pulls things down

• A force that makes things move sideways

Answer explanation

Gravity is a force that pulls objects toward each other, primarily towards the center of the Earth, which is why we say it pulls things down. The other options incorrectly describe gravity's nature.

Which force makes you slow down on a slide?

• Gravity

• Friction

• Push

• Pull

Answer explanation

Friction is the force that opposes motion between surfaces. On a slide, it acts against your movement, causing you to slow down. While gravity pulls you down, friction is what ultimately reduces your speed.

What do we call the force that pushes back when you pull something?

• Friction

• Push

• Contact force

• Gravity

Answer explanation

The force that pushes back when you pull something is called friction. It opposes the motion between two surfaces in contact, making it the correct answer to the question.

When forces are balanced, what happens?

• There is no motion

• The object flies

• The object changes direction

• The object speeds up

Answer explanation

When forces are balanced, they cancel each other out, resulting in no net force acting on the object. This means the object remains at rest or continues to move at a constant velocity, leading to no motion.