Free Printable WorksheetScienceGrade 9Science CurriculumNGSS HS-PS2-1, HS-PS2-3

9.49 Friction, Air Resistance, and Drag Worksheet

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Worksheet Overview & Skills Covered

Core academic competencies and curriculum alignment

This Physical Science with Earth and Science Science worksheet provides structured practice on 9.49 Friction, Air Resistance, and Drag. Students are guided through targeted exercises that build foundational understanding, computational accuracy, and critical thinking skills.

Friction, Air Resistance, and Drag: MCQ focus: predict how surface type, normal force, shape, and fluid resistance affect motion. Aligned to NGSS high school Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, and Engineering Design; NRC/DCI; SEP/CCC; CCSS math/literacy connections; selected CA NGSS, NYSSLS, Florida CPALMS, and Texas TEKS references NGSS HS-PS2-1, HS-PS2-3 - NGSS-aligned Friction, Air Resistance, and Drag: NGSS: HS-PS2-1; HS-PS2-3; NRC/DCI: PS2.A; ETS1.B; SEP/CCC: Cause and effect / Structure and function; Common: RST.9-10.7; State refs: CA/NYSSLS same HS-PS PE family; FL SC.912.P.12; TX IPC force and motion strand.

Whether you are an educator preparing classroom handouts, a tutor reinforcing weekly topics, or a parent supporting homeschool learning, this printable resource gives students the deliberate practice required to achieve subject fluency and master state standards.

Grade

Physical Science with Earth and Science

Subject

Science

Domain

Science Curriculum

Formats

PDF & DOCX

Sample Practice Problems

Preview the types of problems and questions covered in this worksheet

Below are sample questions representative of the exercises included on this worksheet and related 9.49 Friction, Air Resistance, and Drag skill assessments:

Problem 1Difficulty: Mastery

A team designs a cart to move heavy boxes across a warehouse efficiently and safely. Which design best matches the forces involved?

AUse sticky pads under the cart so sliding friction is as large as possible.

BUse low-friction rollers for motion while keeping enough wheel-floor traction for control.

CRemove all friction everywhere, including tire traction and brakes.

DMake the front a wide flat plate to maximize drag.

Solution & Explanation:Efficient motion benefits from reduced rolling resistance, but safe control still requires enough static friction for steering and braking.

Problem 2Difficulty: Mastery

A student says, 'Adding weight to a car always makes it stop faster because tire friction is larger.' Which response best evaluates the claim using the simple friction model?

AThe claim is always true because inertia does not matter.

BThe claim is true only because air resistance becomes negative.

CThe claim is incomplete because added weight increases both maximum tire friction and inertia.

DThe claim is always false because heavier cars have zero normal force.

Solution & Explanation:In the ideal friction-limited model, maximum friction increases with normal force, but the car's mass and inertia also increase. Stopping distance does not automatically get shorter.

Problem 3Difficulty: Mastery

Grid fins on a reusable rocket help control descent in the atmosphere. Why are they much less useful for aerodynamic control in near-vacuum space?

AGravity is absent near every planet.

BFriction with the launch pad is larger in space.

CThe rocket has no mass in space.

DNear-vacuum has too little fluid for fins to create much drag or control force.

Solution & Explanation:Aerodynamic control surfaces need a fluid flowing around them. In near-vacuum, there is almost no air to exert drag or lift forces.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about printing, using, and solving this worksheet

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QWhat grade level and standards does this worksheet align with?

This worksheet is designed specifically for Physical Science with Earth and Science Science students. It aligns with educational standard NGSS HS-PS2-1, HS-PS2-3 (NGSS: HS-PS2-1; HS-PS2-3; NRC/DCI: PS2.A; ETS1.B; SEP/CCC: Cause and effect / Structure and function; Common: RST.9-10.7; State refs: CA/NYSSLS same HS-PS PE family; FL SC.912.P.12; TX IPC force and motion strand.).