Pushes & Motion Lab

Discover how pushes and pulls change the way objects move. Pick an object, choose your force, and find out what happens when you apply it in different directions and strengths.

Guided Experiment: Pushes and Pulls Investigation

Before you start, predict: does a heavy object or a light object need a stronger push to move? Write your prediction.

Write your hypothesis in the Lab Report panel, then click Next.

Controls

Choose an Object

Force Type

Force Strength

Direction

⚽

Reference Guide

Pushes and Pulls

A push is a force that moves an object away from you. A pull is a force that brings an object toward you.

  • Both pushes and pulls can make objects start moving.
  • Both can also stop a moving object or change its direction.
  • Pushes and pulls are all around us every day.

Force and Motion

When you apply a force to an object, its motion changes. No force means no change in motion.

  • A force can make a still object start moving.
  • A force can make a moving object stop.
  • A force can make an object speed up, slow down, or change direction.

Strength of Force

A stronger force causes a bigger change in motion than a weaker force.

  • A light tap moves an object a little.
  • A strong shove moves an object a lot.
  • Heavier objects need more force to move the same distance as lighter ones.
A feather floats away with the tiniest puff of air. A rock needs a very strong push to budge.

Direction of Force

Objects move in the same direction as the force applied to them.

  • Push left and the object moves left.
  • Pull up and the object moves up.
  • Changing direction changes where the object goes, not how far.
A soccer player kicks the ball where they want it to go. The direction of the kick controls the path of the ball.