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Worksheet4th GradeLevel 2 · Standard

Free 4th Grade Forces: Friction and Gravity Worksheet

Students learn that friction is a force that slows moving things when surfaces rub together, that gravity pulls things towards the Earth, and where each force helps or hinders us — then plan a fair test rolling a toy car over different surfaces.

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Grade
4th Grade
Subject
Science
Topic
Forces & Motion
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
30 minutes
Curriculum
Texas grade levels (TEKS)
Questions
15
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practice

  • explaining what friction does
  • comparing friction on rough and smooth surfaces
  • describing gravity as a pull towards the Earth
  • planning a fair test and identifying variables

Curriculum: Texas grade levels (TEKS). We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: Forces: Friction and Gravity

  1. 1Contact and Non-Contact Forces
  2. 2Simple Machines: Levers, Ramps and Wheels

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

4th Grade students (typically ages 9–10) working on forces & motion. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 30 minutes for 15 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Try Contact and Non-Contact Forces.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheets4th Grade · Science · Forces & Motion

Forces: Friction and Gravity

Name

Date

Score /

Think about whether each force is pulling things down (gravity) or rubbing against movement (friction).

Part A: Two important forces

Read the passage. Then circle the best answer.

Friction is a force that happens when two surfaces rub or slide against each other. It acts against movement and slows things down. Rough surfaces usually make more friction than smooth surfaces.

Friction can be helpful: it lets our shoes grip the ground and helps bikes stop when we use the brakes. It can also be a nuisance: it slows down things we want to keep moving.

Gravity is a force that pulls objects towards the Earth. It is why a dropped ball falls to the ground and why things have weight. Gravity pulls on everything, big or small.

Air resistance is a kind of friction from the air. It slows down things moving through the air, like a falling leaf or a parachute.

1.Which surface would give a rolling toy car the most friction?
  1. Asmooth tiles
  2. Bice
  3. Ccarpet
  4. Dpolished wood
2.Why do you drop back down after you jump up?
  1. AFriction pulls you down.
  2. BGravity pulls you towards the Earth.
  3. CAir pushes you down.
  4. DYour legs get tired.
3.Why is it easy to slip on ice?
  1. AIce has very little friction.
  2. BIce has lots of friction.
  3. CGravity is stronger on ice.
  4. DIce pushes your feet up.
4.How do the grooves on bike tires help?
  1. AThey make the bike lighter.
  2. BThey turn off gravity.
  3. CThey make the tires look nice.
  4. DThey give more grip (friction) on the road.

Part B: Name the force

5.Match each example to the force that matters most.
  • an apple falling from a tree
  • rubbing your hands together to warm them
  • a parachute floating down slowly
  • friction
  • air resistance
  • gravity
6.Friction is a force that (answer space) moving things down.
7.Gravity pulls objects (answer space) the Earth.

Part C: True or false?

Write True or False.

8.Gravity only pulls on heavy objects. ☐ True   ☐ False
9.Rough surfaces usually make more friction than smooth surfaces. ☐ True   ☐ False
10.Friction is always a bad thing. ☐ True   ☐ False
11.A parachute falls slowly because of air resistance. ☐ True   ☐ False
Free worksheets at worksheets.successtutoring.com · © Success Tutoring · Free for personal and classroom use

Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

More 4th Grade forces & motion resources

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    Contact and Non-Contact Forces

    Students learn that some forces act only when objects touch (pushes, pulls, friction) while others act from a distance (gravity,…

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    Time
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    Simple Machines: Levers, Ramps and Wheels

    Students learn how simple machines — levers, ramps (inclined planes), wheels and axles, and pulleys — make work easier by changing the…

    Difficulty
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    Time
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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring Science Team
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.