A child presses a toy car away from their hand. Is this a push or a pull?
- Neither
- A push
- A pull
Answer and explanation
A push
The hand exerts a force away from itself on the toy.
Subjects
Forces & equilibrium
Choose questions individually, practise online, or create a worksheet with matching answers. Counts include generated variants, not only authored originals.
Make a worksheet2,029 question instances
Sample exercises
A child brings a drawer toward their body using its handle. What action is this?
- A pull
- A push
- A shadow
Answer and explanation
A pull
The handle is drawn toward the child.
A ball rolls toward a wall and then away. What changed?
- Its name
- Its direction
- Its material must have changed
Answer and explanation
Its direction
The observed path reverses direction; no material change is implied.
Which observation describes motion rather than colour?
- The toy moved toward the door.
- The toy has a red stripe.
- The toy is blue.
Answer and explanation
The toy moved toward the door.
Motion describes a change in position relative to something.
Describe one safe example of a push in a classroom.
Answer and explanation
For example, gently pushing a toy across an empty table.
Accept a specific safe object and action; do not require this wording.
Two toy cars are different sizes and roll on different floors. Why is that not a fair test of push strength?
Answer and explanation
More than push strength changed, so the cause of any difference is unclear.
Look for recognition of at least one other changed variable.
Study notes
Pushes, pulls and changes in motion
Describe familiar motions using an object, an action and a direction.
Grades K–2Pushes, pulls and changes in motion · Revision sheet
Describe familiar motions using an object, an action and a direction.
Grades K–2Balanced forces and inertia
Recognize that zero net force does not require zero velocity.
Grades 7–10Balanced forces and inertia · Revision sheet
Recognize that zero net force does not require zero velocity.
Grades 7–10Force, mass and acceleration
Apply the resultant force rule, including its sign and units.
Grades 8–11Force, mass and acceleration · Revision sheet
Apply the resultant force rule, including its sign and units.
Grades 8–11Interaction pairs act on different objects
Identify equal-and-opposite pairs without cancelling the wrong forces.
Grades 8–11Interaction pairs act on different objects · Revision sheet
Identify equal-and-opposite pairs without cancelling the wrong forces.
Grades 8–11Friction, resistance and terminal motion
Use force direction and model limitations instead of memorized slogans.
Grades 8–11Friction, resistance and terminal motion · Revision sheet
Use force direction and model limitations instead of memorized slogans.
Grades 8–11Mass, weight and gravitational field
Separate an object's mass from the local gravitational force.
Grades 6–10Mass, weight and gravitational field · Revision sheet
Separate an object's mass from the local gravitational force.
Grades 6–10Moments, pivots and equilibrium
Use perpendicular distances and check both force and turning balance.
Grades 8–11Moments, pivots and equilibrium · Revision sheet
Use perpendicular distances and check both force and turning balance.
Grades 8–11Springs and the linear elastic limit
Use extension, not total length, and distinguish force from stored energy.
Grades 9–12Springs and the linear elastic limit · Revision sheet
Use extension, not total length, and distinguish force from stored energy.
Grades 9–12Perpendicular force resultant
Use this rule only for perpendicular components.
Grades 9–12Acceleration with opposing forces
Use consistent SI units and keep the stated direction convention.
Grades 7–10Weight in a given field
Mass is measured in kg; weight is a force measured in N.
Grades 6–10Kinetic friction model
This is sliding friction with the stated coefficient, not a universal rule for static friction.
Grades 10–12Extension of an ideal spring
Stay in the linear elastic range; extension is not total spring length.
Grades 9–12Balance moments about a pivot
Use perpendicular lever arms; neglect the beam’s own weight in this model.
Grades 8–11Forces & equilibrium · Formula reference 1
Formula reference
Grades 6–12Forces & equilibrium · Formula reference 2
Formula reference
Grades 8–11Related courses
Physics4 lessons
University mechanics and waves
Connect rotation, oscillations, central forces and continuous wave models.
32 quiz questions · University
Physics4 lessons
Fields, circuits and thermal physics
Work with Gauss laws, electrical field models, thermodynamic laws and electromagnetic waves.
32 quiz questions · University
Physics4 lessons
Introduction to quantum physics and relativity
Compare relativistic measurement with quantum states, the Schrödinger equation and uncertainty.
32 quiz questions · University
Physics3 lessons
Analytical and statistical mechanics
Use Lagrangian and Hamiltonian methods, then interpret canonical ensembles.
24 quiz questions · Advanced university
Physics4 lessons
Advanced physics methods and spacetime
Explore perturbation theory, scattering, variational quantum estimates and a conceptual bridge to general relativity.
32 quiz questions · Advanced university