unit

8
sh
ig n di
FORCES

yr tio en
What must Joe do
op ca v to prevent Sue from
C u Ca
throwing him over?

ht
Ed ll
a
sh
ar

What does Sue

M

have to do to
throw Joe over?

Let’s Find Out:

• What is a force?
• What are the effects of forces?
• What are opposing forces?

113

09_(S)MPAHIntSciTB3_08.indd 113 12/3/20 1:03 PM

 A
What Is a Force?
A force is a push or a pull on
an object.

sh
When an object moves from

ig n di
one place to another, we call
it motion. A force is needed to
move objects.

yr tio en
When we push a box, the box
op ca v
moves away from us.
C u Ca
The box moves away when pushed.

ht
Ed ll

When we pull a box, the box

a

moves towards us.

sh

More than one force can act

on an object. Nothing starts
ar

moving until it is pushed or

pulled.
M

The box moves closer when pulled.

LANGUAGE CONNECT
Find another word that has
the same meaning as
(a) push;
(b) pull.

114 UNIT 8

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 Forces in our
daily lives
When we open a
drawer, close a

sh
cupboard or lift a bag
from the floor, we are
using forces on these

ig n di
objects.

yr tio en
Look at the actions
Twisting a towel
here. Can you identify
whether the force in
op ca v
each action is a push,
C u Ca
a pull or a push and
a pull?

ht
Ed ll
a
sh

Hammering a nail
ar

Tugging a kite string EXPLORE

M

Look around you and observe

some actions that involve
pushing or pulling an item.
Carry out the action and discuss
with a classmate whether the
action involves a pull, a push or
both a push and a pull.

Activity Book
Activity 1, page 73

FORCES 115

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 B
What Are the Effects
of Forces?

sh
Changing the shape of an object
A force can change the shape of an object.

ig n di
Hold a sponge in your hands and squeeze it.
What happens to the sponge?

yr tio en
op ca v Squeezing a sponge
C u Ca
The push forces make the sponge smaller.

ht
Ed ll

Place a piece of modelling clay on the table

a

and press on it. What happens to the clay?

sh

Pressing a piece
ar

of modelling clay

The push forces make the modelling clay flatter.

M

EXPLORE
Get a lump of modelling clay.
Use your hands to roll it, squeeze
it, press it, pound on it and twist
it. Mould it into an object that
you like. Observe what forces
can do to the modelling clay.
FLASHBACK
Recall from Unit 7: Some
materials can return to their
original size and shape after
they are pressed, twisted,
bent or pulled.

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 Changing the movement of an object
A force cannot be seen but its effects can be felt.

A force can cause an object to

sh
• speed up or slow down;

ig n di
When the girl uses a
force to kick the ball in
the same direction that

yr tio en
it is moving in, the ball
speeds up.
op ca v
C u Ca
• change the direction in which it is moving;

ht
When the boy
Ed ll

uses a force to hit CREATIVE SCIENCE

the ball, the ball
a

Make a maze to show

moves in another what forces can do.
sh

direction.
ar

• stop moving.
M

Activity Book
Creative Science, pages 74–75

QUICK CHECK
When the girl uses a force to catch the How does a force change
the movement of an object?
ball, the ball stops moving.

FORCES 119

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 C
What Are Opposing Forces?
Forces always act in pairs.

sh
When there is a force acting in one direction, there is an
equal force acting in the opposite direction. This force is

ig n di
known as the opposing force.

When we push on an object, we can feel a force pushing

yr tio en
back on us.

op ca v
C u Ca

ht
Ed ll

An opposing
a

force is acting on
sh

the boy when he

sits on the chair.
ar
M

EXPLORE
What are some of the
actions that you do to
clean your room? Do
you feel an opposing
force acting against
you when you do those
actions? Discuss with
your classmates.

120 UNIT 8

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