Year 5 Science · Gravity, friction and resistance · Test yourself
Year 5 Science Gravity, friction and resistance: check-up and practice test questions
Part of the Year 5 Science gravity, friction and resistance chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page
Exercise 9Z Check-up
1
What force pulls an unsupported object towards the Earth? Write the word.
gravity
Method. Read section 9.1.
- Read the definition. Gravity pulls objects towards the Earth.pulls objects
- Name it. So the force is gravity.gravity
- Write the answer. gravity
Check. Gravity makes an unsupported object fall. ✓
2
Does a book on a table fall? Write yes or no.
no
Method. Read the key ideas in section 9.1.
- Read the key idea. A supported object, such as a book on a table, does not fall.does not fall
- Decide. So the answer is no.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. The table pushes the book up. ✓
3
Which force slows a moving object through air? Write the words.
air resistance
Method. Read section 9.2.
- Read the definition. Air resistance slows down moving things in air.in air
- Name the force. The force is air resistance.air resistance
- Write the answer. air resistance
Check. Air resistance acts against the motion. ✓
4
Look at the table in section 9.2. What is the mean time for the 200 cm² parachute, in tenths of a second? Write the number.
| Parachute area (cm²) | Trial 1 (tenths of a second) | Trial 2 | Trial 3 | Mean (tenths of a second) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 |
| 200 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 10 |
| 300 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 |
| 400 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 |
10
Method. Read the row for 200 cm².
- Read the row. The 200 cm² row has a mean of 10 tenths.10
- Write the number. So the mean is 10 tenths of a second.10
- Write the answer. 10
Check. 10 tenths of a second is 1.0 second. ✓
5
Which shape has less water resistance: a flat, blunt shape, or a smooth, pointed shape? Write the words.
a smooth, pointed shape
Method. Read the table in section 9.3.
- Read the table. The smooth, pointed shape has less water resistance.less water resistance
- Choose the shape. So the smooth, pointed shape is streamlined.a smooth, pointed shape
- Write the answer. a smooth, pointed shape
Check. Streamlined shapes move more easily through water. ✓
6
What is the name of the force that acts between two surfaces that rub? Write the word.
friction
Method. Read section 9.4.
- Read the definition. Friction acts between two surfaces that rub.rub
- Name it. The word is friction.friction
- Write the answer. friction
Check. Friction acts against the motion. ✓
7
Look at the table in section 9.4. Which example uses oil to reduce friction? Write the words.
| Example | What happens |
|---|---|
| rubbing your hands together makes them warm | friction makes heat |
| a bicycle brake pad pressing on the wheel | friction slows the wheel |
| oil put on a moving part | less friction, so less wear |
| shoes gripping a wet floor | more friction helps you not to slip |
oil put on a moving part
Method. Read the rows.
- Read the rows. The oil row says less friction, so less wear.less friction
- Name the example. So the example is oil on a moving part.oil put on a moving part
- Write the answer. oil put on a moving part
Check. Less friction means less wear. ✓
8
Fill in the gap: friction acts ___ the motion of a moving object. Write one word.
against
Method. Read the key ideas in section 9.4.
- Read the key idea. Friction acts against the motion.against the motion
- Fill the gap. So the missing word is against.against
- Write the answer. against
Check. Friction slows moving things. ✓
9
Which force acts between a box and the floor, slowing the box as it slides? Write the word.
friction
Method. Read section 9.5.
- Read the description. Friction acts between surfaces that rub, and slows the box.slows the box
- Name the force. So the force is friction.friction
- Write the answer. friction
Check. The box and the floor rub together. ✓
10
Explain why a crumpled paper ball falls faster than a flat sheet of the same paper. Write one sentence.
Accept any sentence that says the flat sheet has more air resistance, because it catches more air.
Method. Think about the air each shape catches.
- Think about the flat sheet. The flat sheet catches more air.catches more air
- Write the reason. So it has more air resistance and falls more slowly.falls more slowly
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the flat sheet has more air resistance, because it catches more air.
Check. Air resistance depends on the surface facing the air. ✓
Total 17 marks. Allow about 17 minutes.
Exercise 9X Practice test questions
1
FWhat force pulls objects towards the Earth? Write the word.[1 mark]
gravity
Method. Read section 9.1.
- Read the definition. Gravity pulls objects towards the Earth.pulls objects
- Name it. The word is gravity.gravity
- Write the answer. gravity
Check. Gravity acts on every object. ✓
2
FWhich force acts between two surfaces that rub, and slows a moving object? Write the word.[1 mark]
friction
Method. Read section 9.4.
- Read the definition. Friction acts between two surfaces that rub.rub
- Name it. The word is friction.friction
- Write the answer. friction
Check. Friction acts against the motion. ✓
3
FWrite the name of the force that slows down a moving object in water. Write the words.[1 mark]
water resistance
Method. Read section 9.3.
- Read the definition. Water resistance slows down moving things in water.in water
- Name it. The force is water resistance.water resistance
- Write the answer. water resistance
Check. Water resistance acts against the motion. ✓
4
FLook at the table in section 9.2. What is the mean time for the 400 cm² parachute, in tenths of a second? Write the number.
[1 mark]
| Parachute area (cm²) | Trial 1 (tenths of a second) | Trial 2 | Trial 3 | Mean (tenths of a second) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 |
| 200 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 10 |
| 300 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 |
| 400 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 |
16
Method. Read the row for 400 cm².
- Read the row. The 400 cm² row has a mean of 16 tenths.16
- Write the number. So the mean is 16 tenths of a second.16
- Write the answer. 16
Check. Check: 16 + 15 + 17 = 48, and 48 divided by 3 is 16. ✓
5
FLook at the table in section 9.2. Work out how many tenths of a second longer the 300 cm² parachute took than the 100 cm² parachute, on average. Write the number.
[2 marks]
| Parachute area (cm²) | Trial 1 (tenths of a second) | Trial 2 | Trial 3 | Mean (tenths of a second) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 |
| 200 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 10 |
| 300 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 |
| 400 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 |
4
Method. Subtract the 100 cm² mean from the 300 cm² mean.
- Read the means. The 300 cm² mean is 12 tenths, and the 100 cm² mean is 8 tenths.12 and 8
- Subtract. The difference is 12 minus 8, which is 4 tenths.12 - 8 = 4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Check: 8 + 4 = 12. ✓
6
FLook at the table in section 9.4. Name one example from the table where friction helps us. Write the example.
[2 marks]
| Example | What happens |
|---|---|
| rubbing your hands together makes them warm | friction makes heat |
| a bicycle brake pad pressing on the wheel | friction slows the wheel |
| oil put on a moving part | less friction, so less wear |
| shoes gripping a wet floor | more friction helps you not to slip |
shoes gripping a wet floor
Method. Read the rows.
- Read the rows. The shoes row says friction helps you not to slip.not to slip
- Name the example. So one example is shoes gripping a wet floor.shoes gripping a wet floor
- Write the answer. shoes gripping a wet floor
Check. Accept any helpful example, such as shoes gripping a wet floor. ✓
7
FLook at the picture of the boat shapes in section 9.3. Which shape has more water resistance? Write the words.[2 marks]
a flat, blunt shape
Method. Read the labels in the picture.
- Read the labels. The blunt shape is labelled more water resistance.more water resistance
- Name the shape. So the shape with more water resistance is the flat, blunt shape.a flat, blunt shape
- Write the answer. a flat, blunt shape
Check. A streamlined shape has less water resistance. ✓
8
RExplain why a large parachute falls more slowly than a small one. Write one sentence.[2 marks]
Accept any sentence that says the large parachute catches more air, so it has more air resistance.
Method. Think about the air each parachute catches.
- Think about the large parachute. The large parachute catches more air.more air
- Write the reason. So it has more air resistance and falls more slowly.more air resistance
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the large parachute catches more air, so it has more air resistance.
Check. Air resistance pushes against a falling parachute. ✓
9
RExplain why friction helps a car to stop. Write one sentence.[2 marks]
Accept any sentence that says friction between the tyres and the road slows the car, and helps it to stop.
Method. Think about the tyres and the road.
- Think about the tyres. The tyres grip the road, which makes friction.grip the road
- Write the reason. The friction slows the car, so it stops.slows the car
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says friction between the tyres and the road slows the car, and helps it to stop.
Check. Friction slows moving things down. ✓
10
RExplain why a ball falls when it is dropped, and name the force that makes it fall. Write two sentences.[3 marks]
Accept any two sentences that say the ball is unsupported, and gravity pulls it down towards the Earth.
Method. Think about the force.
- Think about the ball. Once the ball is dropped, nothing supports it.unsupported
- Name the force. Gravity pulls the ball down towards the Earth.gravity
- Write the answer. Accept any two sentences that say the ball is unsupported, and gravity pulls it down towards the Earth.
Check. Gravity acts between the Earth and the ball. ✓