What Are Forces?

Forces are pushes or pulls that can make things move, stop, speed up, slow down, or change direction. Every time you kick a soccer ball, open a door, or drop your pencil, you're seeing forces at work!

Types of Forces

• Gravity pulls objects toward each other. It’s why apples fall from trees and why we stay on the ground!
• Friction is a force that slows things down when they rub against each other, like when you slide on the floor with socks.
• Magnetism is a force that can push or pull magnetic objects without touching them.

How Motion Works

When a force acts on an object, it changes the object's motion. The bigger the force, the more the object moves. The object's mass (how much "stuff" it has) also affects how much it moves—a heavy object needs a bigger push!

Real-World Connections

• Sliding down a playground slide is easier if you're wearing smooth clothes (less friction).
• The brakes on a bike use friction to help you stop safely.