Friction Check is a short 3-page quiz for 3rd grade. Part 1 has five multiple-choice questions with three options each, on what friction is, which surface gives a toy car the most friction, the heat from rubbing hands, bumpy sneaker soles and a faster sled. Part 2 asks students to rank ice, carpet, wood and sandpaper from least to most friction. Part 3 asks how friction helps a bike stop. Page 3 holds the key.
“Explain that friction is a force that slows moving things and makes heat when surfaces rub together.”
Part 1 questions 1 and 3 check the definition and the heat from rubbing hands.
“Compare surfaces by how much friction they cause and apply friction to a bike and a sled.”
Part 1 questions 2, 4 and 5, the Part 2 ranking and the Part 3 bike question.
Five questions to circle, A to C. Topics are the meaning of friction, a toy car on glass, a wet slide or thick grass, rubbing hands together, sneaker treads and making a sled go faster.
A word bank of ice, carpet, wood and sandpaper and a row of four boxes from 1 (Least) to 4 (Most).
One question on how friction helps a bike stop, beside a photo of a brake on a wheel, with three writing lines.
Letters for questions 1 to 5, the ranking ice, wood, carpet, sandpaper, and a sample answer about rubber brake pads.
End of a friction unit
Give it after the surface and ramp activities. Five questions and a ranking take about ten minutes.
Question 5 mix-up
Students who pick sandpaper or rough rocks for a faster sled are thinking about stopping, not sliding. Ask what each choice does to the sled.
Talk about the ranking
Wood and carpet are the close pair in the ranking. Have partners explain their order aloud before you collect the sheets.
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