Gravitational attraction and friction forces are the focus of this Grade 6 Science worksheet for the NGSS topic Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions. Students examine how gravity depends on mass and distance, compare gravity with friction, and use evidence to explain and predict changes in motion.

What students practice

The activities move beyond simple definitions by asking students to apply force concepts to familiar situations, including the relationship between Earth and the Moon. Students explain how changing mass or distance affects gravitational attraction, compare gravitational interactions with the contact force of friction, and predict how an object's motion will change when forces act on it. Quantitative patterns are also used as evidence to support an argument about gravitational interactions.

What the worksheet includes

• Multiple-choice questions covering gravity, mass, distance, friction, and changes in motion
• True-or-false statements for checking conceptual understanding
• Short-answer responses requiring students to explain force relationships
• A dialogue activity that applies force concepts through conversation
• A matching activity connecting ideas and descriptions
• A cloze passage for reinforcing key concepts in context
• A labeled diagram related to gravitational interactions
• A reading passage followed by questions requiring evidence-based thinking
• An essay task for extended explanation and argumentation

Teacher support included

A separate Teacher Guide PDF provides Learning Objectives, Teaching Tips, Discussion Questions, and Common Mistakes. This gives teachers practical support for introducing the concepts, guiding discussion, and addressing misunderstandings while students work through the material.

Ways to use it in science instruction

Use this forces and motion worksheet as guided practice after instruction on gravity and friction, independent classwork, a review activity, or evidence-based written practice. The combination of selected-response, diagram, reading, discussion-style, and extended-response tasks gives students multiple ways to demonstrate their reasoning about forces and interactions.

For teachers covering Grade 6 physical science and NGSS-aligned instruction, this resource brings gravitational attraction and friction together in one focused learning experience. Students repeatedly connect force concepts to motion, evidence, and prediction rather than treating each idea as an isolated definition.