Name: ________________
Class:_______________
Forces and Motion Practice Sheet
Instructions: Answer the following questions using your knowledge of forces.
1. Vocabulary Match (4 points)
Draw a line to connect each key word with its correct definition.

Balanced Forces
| A push or a pull.

Unbalanced Forces
direction.
| Forces that are equal in size and opposite in

Force

Direction
| The path along which something is moving.
| Forces that are NOT equal and/or NOT opposite,
causing a change in motion.
2. The Mystery of the Floating Pen (6 points)
Imagine you hold a pen perfectly still in the air, 1 meter above your desk.
a) Is the pen moving? (Yes/No)
b) Name at least TWO forces you think are acting on the pen. (2 points)
c) Are these forces balanced or unbalanced? Explain how you know. (2 points)
d) What would happen to the pen if you let it go? Describe the change in forces and
motion. (2 points)
3. Diagram Drawing Challenge (6 points)
a) Draw a simple force diagram for a stationary computer mouse sitting on a
Name: ________________
Class:_______________
mousepad. Label the forces. (Hint: Think about gravity and the surface). (3 points)
b) Draw a simple force diagram for a sled being pulled to the right across snow at
a constant speed. Label the forces. (Hint: There is a pulling force, but also a force
opposing motion). (3 points)
4. Think Like a Scientist (4 points)
Planets orbit the Sun in near-circular paths.
a) Is the force of gravity from the Sun on a planet a balanced or unbalanced force? (1
point)
b) What effect does this force have on the planet's motion? (Does it speed it up, slow it
down, or change its direction?) (1 point)
c) Explain why the planet doesn't just fall into the Sun if gravity is constantly pulling it. (2
points)