Little Lab Coats
Forces & Motion Reference Card
Grade 5 · PS2
Forces can combine, cancel, or transfer energy, and careful testing helps scientists explain how objects move.
Key vocabulary
forcemotionmasscollision
What to notice
- Unbalanced forces change motion.
- Balanced forces can keep an object steady.
- Mass affects how easily motion changes.
- Collisions transfer energy from one object to another.
Materials snapshot
- Toy cars or marbles
- Ramp or books
- Tape measure
- Coins or washers
- Cardboard and tape
Talk-about prompts
- What evidence shows a force was unbalanced?
- How did mass change the results?
- Where did the energy go during a collision?
- What improved your design?
Why it matters
Forces explain everyday motion, from playground swings to bicycles to sports. This unit helps students see that motion changes for reasons scientists can test and measure.
Try this next: Build a mini ramp test at home and compare how mass, height, or surface changes the motion.