FORCES & MOTION – GRADE 4 NOTES
1. What is a Force?
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✅ Definition:
A force is a push or a pull acting on an object.
Forces are invisible, but we can see their effects.
A force always has:
● Direction (push left, pull right)
● Strength (strong or weak force)
Forces can act:
● By contact (touching, like pushing)
● Without contact (like gravity, magnetism)
More force = more change in motion
✅ Effects of a Force:
A force can:
● Move an object
● Stop a moving object
● Change direction
● Change shape (stretch, squash)
✅ Examples:
🚪
🪢
● Pushing a door
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● Pulling a rope
● Kicking a ball
✏️ Questions:
1. What is a force?
2. Name two effects of a force.
3. Is pulling a force?
✔️ Answers:
1. A push or pull acting on an object.
2. Move or change shape (any two).
3. Yes.
🌍 2. Gravity
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✅ Definition:
Gravity is a force that pulls objects toward the Earth.
Gravity acts towards the center of the Earth.
All objects fall at the same speed (if air resistance is ignored).
The bigger the planet, the stronger the gravity.
Gravity also keeps:
● The Moon orbiting Earth
● The Earth orbiting the Sun
✅ Key Points:
● Keeps us on the ground 🌍
● Makes objects fall down
● Acts on everything with mass
✅ Example:
● A ball falls when dropped
✏️ Questions:
1. What is gravity?
2. Why don’t we float in the air?
3. Give one example of gravity.
✔️ Answers:
1. A force that pulls objects to Earth.
2. Because gravity pulls us down.
3. Falling apple/ball.
🧭 3. Forces Around Us
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Forces can work together or against each other.
When forces are equal → object does not move (balanced forces).
When forces are unequal → object moves (unbalanced forces).
Example:
● Tug of war → balanced vs unbalanced forces
✅ Types of Forces:
● Gravity
● Friction
● Air resistance
● Magnetic force
● Elastic force
✅ Everyday Examples:
● Walking → friction
● Falling → gravity
● Flying kite → air resistance
✏️ Questions:
1. Name two forces around us.
2. Which force helps us walk?
✔️ Answers:
1. Gravity, friction (any two).
2. Friction.
🧲 4. Magnetic Force
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✅ Definition:
Magnetic force is the force that pulls or pushes objects using a magnet.
Magnetic force can act from a distance (no touching needed).
The strongest part of a magnet is at the poles.
Magnetic force can pass through:
● Paper
● Water
Earth itself acts like a giant magnet (compass works because of this).
✅ Key Points:
● Magnets attract iron, steel, nickel
● Have two poles:
○ North (N)
○ South (S)
● Like poles repel
● Unlike poles attract
✅ Magnetic vs Non-Magnetic:
● Magnetic: iron, steel
● Non-magnetic: wood, plastic
✏️ Questions:
1. What is magnetic force?
2. Name two magnetic materials.
3. What happens when like poles meet?
✔️ Answers:
1. Force of a magnet.
2. Iron, steel.
3. They repel.
🌬️ 5. Air Resistance
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✅ Definition:
Air resistance is a force that slows down moving objects in air.
Also called drag.
Increases when:
● Speed increases
● Surface area increases
Streamlined shapes (like airplanes) reduce air resistance.
Example:
● Flat paper falls slower than crumpled paper
✅ Key Points:
● Opposes motion
● Greater surface area → more resistance
● Helps parachutes work
✏️ Questions:
1. What is air resistance?
2. Why do parachutes fall slowly?
✔️ Answers:
1. Force that slows objects in air.
2. Because of high air resistance.
🪀 6. Elastic Spring Force
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✅ Definition:
Elastic force is the force that returns an object to its original shape.
● Only works when objects are:
○ Stretched or compressed
● If stretched too much → may not return to original shape (limit reached).
● Energy is stored when stretched → called stored energy.
✅ Examples:
● Rubber band
● Spring
● Balloon
✅ Key Points:
● Stretch → returns back
● Compress → pushes back
✏️ Questions:
1. What is elastic force?
2. Give one example.
✔️ Answers:
1. Force that brings object back to shape.
2. Rubber band.
🧱 7. Friction
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✅ Definition:
Friction is a force that slows down moving objects.
● Friction produces heat.
● Friction can be:
○ Useful (walking, writing)
○ Unwanted (slows machines)
● We can:
○ Increase friction → rough surfaces, grip shoes
○ Decrease friction → oil, smooth surfaces
✅ Key Points:
● Works between surfaces
● Rough surface → more friction
● Smooth surface → less friction
✅ Example:
● Shoes help us walk (grip)
✏️ Questions:
1. What is friction?
2. Which has more friction: rough or smooth surface?
✔️ Answers:
1. Force that slows movement.
2. Rough surface.
⚖️ 8. Mass and Weight
✅ Mass:
● Amount of matter in an object
● Measured in kilograms (kg)
● Same everywhere
● Measured using a balance scale
● Tells how heavy something feels to lift
✅ Weight:
● Force of gravity on an object
● Measured in newtons (N)
● Measured using a spring balance
● Depends on gravity strength
🌍 Weight Formula:
Weight = mass x gravitational acceleration
✅ Key Idea:
● On the Moon → weight is less
● Mass stays same everywhere
✏️ Questions:
1. What is mass?
2. What is weight?
3. Does mass change on the Moon?
✔️ Answers:
1. Amount of matter.
2. Force of gravity on object.
3. No.
📝 Final Revision Questions
Short Answer:
1. Name 3 types of forces.
2. What force pulls objects to Earth?
3. What force slows moving objects?
4. What is magnetic force?
5. Give one elastic object.
Multiple Choice:
1. Gravity pulls objects:
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○ a) Up
○ b) Down
○ c) Sideways
2. Which is magnetic?
○ a) Plastic
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○ b) Wood
○ c) Iron