Contact and non-contact forces are the focus of this Grade 9 Ontario Science worksheet on Physics: Forces and Energy. Students classify forces by how they act between objects while building precise qualitative descriptions using magnitude, direction, and point of application.

The lesson develops the distinction between contact forces such as friction, tension, and normal force and non-contact forces such as gravity and electromagnetic interactions. Students also examine how forces act between interacting objects and identify action–reaction pairs as equal in size and opposite in direction while acting on different objects.

What Students Practise

• Classify everyday forces as contact or non-contact.
• Describe force magnitude, direction, and point of application qualitatively.
• Identify the direction of friction, normal force, tension, and gravity in familiar situations.
• Recognize magnetic attraction as a non-contact interaction.
• Distinguish correct action–reaction force pairs from forces acting on the same object.
• Use accurate force language when explaining qualitative scenarios and preparing for further Newtonian analysis.

Question Formats

The worksheet moves from a focused reading passage into multiple-choice questions, true-or-false statements, short-answer responses, a definitions matching activity, and a cloze exercise. An extended-response scenario asks students to analyze the forces on a refrigerator being pulled with a rope across a rough floor, including force categories, directions, points of application, and an action–reaction pair. A final Did You Know? section adds an additional lesson connection.

Included for Instruction and Review

• ✅ Student worksheet covering contact and non-contact force concepts
• ✅ Separate PDF answer key
• ✅ Student Notes & Lesson Summary supplement
• ✅ Separate Teacher Guide with Learning Objectives, Teaching Tips, Discussion Questions, and Common Mistakes

Classroom Use

Use this Grade 9 physics forces worksheet to introduce force classification, reinforce vocabulary after instruction, or provide structured review before students move into more detailed Newtonian force analysis. The progression from reading and recognition to qualitative explanation gives students repeated opportunities to apply the same force concepts in different contexts without relying on numerical calculations.

Because students must describe forces by their direction and point of application, the resource provides a useful bridge between introductory force concepts and later work with force diagrams and Newton’s laws. The separate answer key, student notes, and teacher guide also support independent practice, guided instruction, review, and teacher-led discussion within an Ontario Grade 9 Science physics unit.