Explore gravity, weight and air resistance with this Grade 6 Science worksheet focused on forces and motion near Earth. Students investigate why a rising ball slows down, how a table supports a resting book, and why a flat sheet of paper may fall differently from a folded sheet. The activities connect force concepts with observable evidence, helping students explain motion rather than simply memorise definitions.

What students investigate

The reading passage introduces gravity as an attractive force between objects with mass and explains how it acts on objects moving upward and downward. Students examine weight as the force of gravity, balanced forces acting on a supported object, and air resistance opposing motion through air. They also consider how an object's shape affects air resistance and how unequal forces can cause acceleration.

Scientific investigation is woven into the topic. Students predict how different paper shapes will fall, identify ways to make a comparison fair, record observations, and use evidence to support conclusions. Repeating trials and changing one variable at a time reinforce careful testing and evidence-based reasoning.

Question and activity types

• Multiple-choice questions on gravity's direction, upward motion, weight, supporting forces, balanced forces and air resistance.
• True-or-false statements that check misconceptions about forces acting on resting objects, moving objects and falling objects.
• Short-answer responses requiring explanations of a rising ball's motion, the forces on a book resting on a table, and the predicted fall of flat and folded paper.
• A labelled diagram activity for representing force-related ideas.
• A categorisation task that asks students to organise information into groups.
• A short-note activity for recording key learning.

Files and teacher support included

• Printable student worksheet covering the reading, force concepts and investigation skills.
• Separate PDF answer key for checking student responses.
• Teacher Guide inside the Answer Key PDF, with Learning Objectives, Teaching Tips, Discussion Questions and Common Mistakes.
• Student Notes lines at the bottom of the worksheet for recording important ideas.

The answer key makes it easier to review responses, while the teacher guidance supports lesson preparation and discussion of common misunderstandings. These are useful additions when introducing forces or checking whether students can apply vocabulary to everyday situations.

Ways to use this forces and motion practice

Use the worksheet during a Grade 6 physical science lesson, as guided reading and follow-up practice, for independent classwork, or as a review after introducing gravity and air resistance. The paper-fall scenario also provides a practical starting point for a classroom investigation: students can predict what will happen, test the two shapes under fair conditions, and compare their observations with their explanations.

Designed around Science 6: Forces and Motion, this resource gives students opportunities to explain force interactions, distinguish balanced from unbalanced forces, and support predictions with evidence. The supplied BC framework reference is retained as provided; no specific curriculum code is stated.