8/20/25, 5:37 PM Science for Class 8 ( Science Curiosity ) Solutions – Text Book Solutions All Class

5. Exploring Forces – Textbook Solutions

Probe and Ponder

1. Why does it feel harder to pedal a bicycle when going uphill than on flat ground?
Ans:

When cycling uphill, a bicycle has to move against gravity, which pulls both the cycle and
the rider downward. More muscular force has to be applied to push the bicycle up the
slope as compared to flat ground, where gravity does not resist the forward motion as
much. That is why pedaling feels much harder going uphill.

2. Why is it easier to slip on a wet surface?

Ans:
Wet surfaces have less friction compared to dry surfaces. Friction is the force that helps in
gripping the ground when walking or moving. When a surface is wet, the thin layer of
water reduces the irregularities between the surfaces of shoes and the floor, causing the
friction to decrease. With less friction, it is easy to slip and fall.

3. Why do we feel ‘light’ or like we are ‘floating’ just after our swing reaches its
highest point and begins to come down?
Ans: At the highest point of a swing’s motion, the swing (and the person on it) stops for a
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moment before starting to move back down. For that brief moment, the pull of gravity is
almost balanced by the upward force of the swing, making a sensation similar to floating
or feeling “light.” This happens because, at that instant, the only force acting is gravity and
the person is in a state called “free fall.”

4. Share your questions

Ans:

Why does sliding work better on ice than on sand?

What would happen if friction did not exist at all?
Why do heavier objects sink more in water than lighter ones of the same size?
Does air also provide friction to moving objects?
Why can some birds fly easily for long periods without getting tired?

Keep the curiosity alive

1. Match items in Column A with the items in Column B.

Ans: Column A (Type of force)Column B (Example)(i) Muscular force(b) A child lifting a

school bag(ii) Magnetic force(e) A compass needle pointing North(iii) Frictional force(a) A
cricket ball stopping on its own just before touching the boundary line(iv) Gravitational
force(c) A fruit falling from a tree(v) Electrostatic force(d) Balloon rubbed on woollen cloth
attracting hair strands

2. State whether the following statements are True or False.

(i) A force is always required to change the speed of motion of an object.
Ans: True (Force changes speed, direction, or shape).
(ii) Due to friction, the speed of the ball rolling on a flat ground increases.
Ans: False (Friction slows down or stops moving objects).
(iii) There is no force between two charged objects placed at a small distance apart.
Ans: False (Electrostatic force acts between charged objects without contact).
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3. Two balloons rubbed with a woollen cloth are brought near each other. What
would happen and why?
Ans:

The two balloons will repel each other.

This happens because rubbing with woollen cloth gives both balloons the same
type of static charge, and like charges push each other away due to electrostatic
force.

4. When you drop a coin in a glass of water, it sinks, but when you place a bigger
wooden block in water, it floats. Explain.
Ans:

The coin sinks because its density is higher than water, so the gravitational
force pulling it down is stronger than the buoyant force from water pushing it up.
The wooden block floats because its density is lower than water, making the
buoyant force equal to or greater than gravity, keeping it on the surface.

5. If a ball is thrown upwards, it slows down, stops momentarily, and then falls back
to the ground. Name the forces acting on the ball and specify their directions.
Ans:
(i) During its upward motion: Gravitational force pulls the ball downward, slowing it
down, while the initial throwing force acts upward but weakens.
(ii) During its downward motion: Only gravitational force pulls the ball downward,
making it speed up.
(iii) At its topmost position: Gravitational force pulls downward; the ball stops
momentarily before falling, with zero speed at that instant.

6. A ball is released from the point P and moves along an inclined plane and then
along a horizontal surface as shown in the Fig. 5.16. It comes to stop at the point A
on the horizontal surface. Think of a way so that when the ball is released from the
same point P, it stops
(i) before the point A
(ii) after crossing the point A.

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Ans:
(i) To stop before point A, make the surface rougher to increase frictional force, which
slows the ball down faster.
(ii) To stop after crossing point A, make the surface smoother to reduce frictional force,
allowing the ball to roll farther.

7. Why do we sometimes slip on smooth surfaces like ice or polished floors? Explain.
Ans: We slip on smooth surfaces because there is very little friction between our feet and
the surface. Without enough friction to grip and oppose sliding, it’s easy to lose balance
and fall.

8. Is any force being applied to an object in a non-uniform motion?

Ans: Yes, a force is applied to an object in non-uniform motion (when speed or direction
changes). Force causes these changes, like speeding up, slowing down, or turning.

9. The weight of an object on the Moon becomes one-sixth of its weight on the
Earth. What causes this change? Does the mass of the object also become one-sixth
of its mass on the Earth?
Ans: The change happens because the Moon’s gravitational force is weaker than Earth’s
(about one-sixth). Weight depends on gravity, so it’s less on the Moon. The mass stays the
same everywhere, as it’s the amount of matter in the object.

10. Three objects 1, 2, and 3 of the same size and shape but made of different
materials are placed in water. They dip to different depths as shown in Fig. 5.17. If
the weights of the three objects 1, 2, and 3 are w1, w2, and w3, respectively, then
choose the correct relation.
Fig.5.17
(i) w1 = w2 = w3
(ii) w1 > w2 > w3
(iii) w2 > w3 > w1
(iv) w3 > w1 > w2
Ans: (ii) w1 > w2 > w3
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Heavier objects sink deeper because their weight overcomes buoyant force more, while
lighter ones float higher.

Discover, design, and debate

1. Collect objects made of different materials, such as plastic, wool, silk, rubber,
polythene sheet, paper, and metals. Rub one material with another and check if it
attracts small pieces of paper or not, that is, whether it gets charged or not. Record
your observations in a systematic manner and write a research paper.
Ans:

Collecting and Rubbing Materials: Research on Electrostatic Charging

Experiment Steps:

Gather materials: plastic scale, wool, silk cloth, rubber balloon, polythene sheet,
paper, and metals like an iron key or a coin.
Rub one material (for example, a plastic scale) with another material (like wool or
silk).
Bring the rubbed object close to small pieces of paper and observe if they are
attracted.

Observation Table Example:Material RubbedMaterial Used for RubbingAttracts Paper?

(Yes/No)Plastic scaleWoolen clothYesBalloonSilk clothYesPlastic scalePolytheneYesMetal
coinWoolen clothNoRubberDry paperNo

Conclusion:
Objects made of plastic, wool, or silk become electrically charged when rubbed together
and can attract small pieces of paper. Metals usually do not get charged in this way. This is
because some materials transfer electrons when rubbed, creating static electric charges.

2. Imagine a scenario where the gravity disappears. Develop a story. Create a cartoon
strip to present your story. z Organise a discussion in your class on the topic: Friction
—a necessity or a problem? Make a note of the discussion and state where friction is
a necessity and when it is a problem.
Ans:

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