Year 3 Forces and Magnets Worksheet - Intermediate
Year 3 Forces and Magnets worksheet for Year 3 (Key Stage 2 / Year 3-6 (Ages 7-11)). Intermediate level science practice, aligned to the UK National Curriculum. Print-ready with answer key included.
Forces and Magnets: Push, Pull and Explore
Year 3 Science • Ages 7–8 • Intermediate
Instructions: Read each activity carefully and write your answers in the boxes. Think about what is touching, what is moving, and how magnets interact. Use the results in the table to support your explanations.
Pushes and Pulls
Decide whether each action is a push or a pull. Write one answer in each box. Some actions can change an object's movement by starting it, stopping it or changing its direction.
1. Mia presses a door away from herself to close it. Is this a push or a pull?
2. Sam draws a toy wagon towards himself by its handle. Is this a push or a pull?
3. A player kicks a stationary football so it moves forwards. Is the force a push or a pull?
4. Lee tugs a drawer out of a desk. Is this a push or a pull?
5. A child presses down on a spring toy. Is this a push or a pull?
Friction on Different Surfaces
A toy car was given the same starting push each time. Use the results to answer the questions. A longer distance means the car travelled farther before friction stopped it.
| Surface | Distance travelled (cm) |
| Smooth tile | 120 |
| Wooden board | 90 |
| Short carpet | 45 |
| Thick rug | 25 |
1. On which surface did the toy car travel the farthest?
2. On which surface did it travel the shortest distance?
3. Which surface had more friction: the smooth tile or the short carpet?
4. Explain why the car travelled a shorter distance on the thick rug than on the smooth tile.
Predicting and Explaining Friction
Use what you know about surfaces and friction. Write a clear answer in each box; for the final question, give a reason as well as your choice.
1. A book slides across a smooth desk and then across a rough mat. On which surface will it probably stop sooner?
2. Which surface is likely to create more friction: polished wood or rough carpet?
3. A child slips on a smooth floor. Would a rough-textured shoe sole usually provide more or less grip?
4. Why does a toy car slow down as it rolls across the floor?
Magnetic Materials
Choose the best answer for each question. Remember that magnets attract some materials, but not every metal is magnetic.
1. Which object is most likely to be attracted to a magnet?
2. Which material is usually attracted to a magnet?
3. Which object is least likely to be attracted to a magnet?
4. A magnet attracts a metal object. Which material could the object be made from?
Attract or Repel?
Magnets have a north pole and a south pole. Unlike poles attract; like poles repel. Write “attract” or “repel” in each box.
1. North pole facing south pole:
2. North pole facing north pole:
3. South pole facing south pole:
4. South pole facing north pole:
5. Two north poles are brought close together. What happens?
Contact or Non-contact Force?
A contact force happens when objects touch. A magnet can exert a force without touching an object. Write “contact” or “non-contact” for each example.
1. A hand pushes a chair across the floor.
2. A magnet attracts an iron nail before touching it.
3. A foot kicks a football.
4. Two like magnetic poles push away from each other while held apart.
5. A hand pulls a drawer open.
Activity 1: 1. Push ; 2. Pull ; 3. Push ; 4. Pull ; 5. Push
Activity 2: 1. Smooth tile ; 2. Thick rug ; 3. Short carpet ; 4. The thick rug is rougher and creates more friction, so it slows the car sooner.
Activity 3: 1. Rough mat ; 2. Rough carpet ; 3. More ; 4. Friction between the car and the floor acts against its movement and slows it down.
Activity 4: 1. Iron nail ; 2. Iron ; 3. Plastic button ; 4. Steel
Activity 5: 1. Attract ; 2. Repel ; 3. Repel ; 4. Attract ; 5. They repel each other.
Activity 6: 1. Contact ; 2. Non-contact ; 3. Contact ; 4. Non-contact ; 5. Contact
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