Contact and Non-Contact Forces

Contact and Non-Contact Forces Worksheet: Forces in contact or at a distance (Grade 4 Science, TEKS 4.7A)

Students decide which force makes an apple fall, a magnet pull a paper clip, and a rug slow a sliding box, and whether each force works in contact or at a distance, then sort four everyday forces and find the pattern: gravity and magnetism work at a distance. The page teaches the idea first, so no prior lesson is needed, and every answer is on the page.

What's Inside

• A teach box that defines force, contact forces, non-contact forces, friction, gravity, and magnetism, with a worked example
• Part A: three pictures; circle the force and circle in contact or at a distance
• Part B: four everyday forces to sort as in contact or at a distance, then one question to name the pattern
• A raccoon guide with a hint that matches the answer key
• An answer key with answers marked in red, plus a short teacher note with what to watch for

How Teachers Use It

Read the teach box and the worked example together, then let students try Part A and Part B. It takes 8 to 10 minutes and prints clearly in black and white. The focus skill is finding patterns in forces that work in contact or at a distance, part of TEKS 4.7A: plan and conduct descriptive investigations to explore the patterns of forces such as gravity, friction, or magnetism in contact or at a distance on an object.

Why It Works

Everyday pictures make each force easy to see, and sorting everyday examples helps students see the pattern. Questions are short, mostly circle or one line answers, and the reasoning is on the teacher key.