Exploring Forces — Class 8 MCQs with Answers
Class 8 CBSE Science · Chapter 5
72 practice questions · 24 Easy · 24 Medium · 24 Hard · Updated
Practise the most important Class 8 CBSE Science questions from Chapter 5, "Exploring Forces". You get 9 timed quizzes made from 72 NCERT-based MCQs, with answers and explanations. The questions are split into 24 Easy, 24 Medium and 24 Hard. Warm up on the basics, then move on to the exam-level questions that top scorers in CBSE Board exams get right.
To score well in "Exploring Forces", focus on clear concepts in physics, chemistry and biology basics. Each MCQ here is timed and uses exam-style marking (+4 correct, −1 wrong, 0 skipped). This helps you stay accurate when time is short, just as real papers need. Every question has a short explanation, so a wrong answer becomes a quick lesson. It is the fastest way to fix gaps before a test.
Use this chapter for focused revision. Start with the Easy set to check your basics on Exploring Forces, then move to Medium and Hard to practise applying them. Your accuracy, streaks and XP save automatically. This chapter also adds to your overall Class 8 Science mastery score. 14 sample questions are solved in full below, with the answer and a worked explanation. Sign in free to start practising.
Exploring Forces — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 8 Science)
14 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation.
- Q1Easy
A force is a:
A.push or a pull✓ CorrectB.only a pushC.only a pullD.a colourAnswer: A. push or a pull
Explanation: A force is any push or pull an object exerts on another — never only a push or only a pull, since both directions count as forces, and it certainly isn't a colour or other property.
- Q2Easy
Forces that act only when objects are in contact are called:
A.non-contact forcesB.contact forces✓ CorrectC.magnetic forcesD.gravityAnswer: B. contact forces
Explanation: Contact forces act only when two objects are physically touching, like a push or friction. Non-contact forces such as gravity or magnetism act without any touching at all.
- Q3Easy
Forces that act without objects touching are called:
A.contact forcesB.muscular forcesC.frictionD.non-contact forces✓ CorrectAnswer: D. non-contact forces
Explanation: Non-contact forces act on an object without the source touching it, such as gravity or magnetism pulling from a distance. Contact forces and friction both require the surfaces to touch.
- Q4Easy
The force with which the Earth pulls objects towards itself is:
A.frictionB.gravitational force✓ CorrectC.magnetic forceD.muscular forceAnswer: B. gravitational force
Explanation: The force with which the Earth pulls objects towards itself is the gravitational force. It differs from friction, magnetism, and muscular force, none of which explain why unsupported objects fall.
- Q5Easy
The SI unit of force is the:
A.kilogramB.metreC.newton (N)✓ CorrectD.secondAnswer: C. newton (N)
Explanation: The SI unit of force is the newton (N), named after Isaac Newton. Kilogram measures mass, metre measures length, and second measures time — none of them measure force.
- Q6Easy
The force applied by our muscles is called:
A.magnetic forceB.gravityC.electrostatic forceD.muscular force✓ CorrectAnswer: D. muscular force
Explanation: The force our muscles apply, called muscular force, needs direct contact to act — like lifting or pushing. Magnetic, gravitational, and electrostatic forces all act without touching.
- Q7Medium
Which of these can a force do to an object?
A.start, stop, speed up, slow, turn or reshape it✓ CorrectB.change its colourC.change its nameD.change its tasteAnswer: A. start, stop, speed up, slow, turn or reshape it
Explanation: A force can start, stop, speed up, slow down, or turn a moving object, and can also reshape it — covering all of a force's possible effects. It never changes an object's colour, name, or taste.
- Q8Medium
A moving ball on the ground slows down and stops because of:
A.gravity pushing it forwardB.magnetismC.friction✓ CorrectD.no forceAnswer: C. friction
Explanation: A moving ball slows and stops because friction between the ball and the ground opposes its motion, gradually removing its speed. Gravity pulls straight down, not forward, so it isn't what stops rolling.
- Q9Medium
Which of these is a non-contact force?
A.muscular forceB.gravitational force✓ CorrectC.frictionD.a normal pushAnswer: B. gravitational force
Explanation: Gravitational force acts across empty space without the objects touching, making it a non-contact force. Muscular force, friction, and a normal push all require direct contact.
- Q10Medium
An object thrown upward comes back down because of:
A.frictionB.gravitational force✓ CorrectC.a magnetic pullD.muscular forceAnswer: B. gravitational force
Explanation: An object thrown upward slows, stops, and falls back down because the Earth's gravitational force continuously pulls it downward, overcoming its initial upward motion.
- Q11Medium
When the forces on a resting object are balanced, the object:
A.speeds upB.changes shapeC.stays at rest✓ CorrectD.flies offAnswer: C. stays at rest
Explanation: When the forces on a resting object are balanced, they cancel out and the object stays at rest — balanced forces cause no change in an object's state of motion.
- Q12Hard
A book resting on a table does not move because the forces on it are:
A.unbalanced upwardB.only downwardC.balanced✓ CorrectD.magneticAnswer: C. balanced
Explanation: A book resting on a table stays still because the table's upward push exactly balances the book's downward weight — balanced forces mean no change in the object's state of motion.
- Q13Hard
Which set lists only contact forces?
A.gravity and magneticB.muscular and friction✓ CorrectC.electrostatic and gravityD.magnetic and frictionAnswer: B. muscular and friction
Explanation: Muscular force and friction both require the objects involved to be touching, making them contact forces. Gravity, magnetism, and electrostatic force instead act without any contact.
- Q14Hard
Which set lists only non-contact forces?
A.gravitational, magnetic and electrostatic✓ CorrectB.muscular, friction, gravityC.friction and muscularD.only muscularAnswer: A. gravitational, magnetic and electrostatic
Explanation: Gravitational, magnetic, and electrostatic forces all act across a distance without the objects touching, making them the classic set of non-contact forces. Muscular force and friction always need contact.
Key concepts: Exploring Forces (Class 8 Science)
This chapter explores forces — the pushes and pulls that shape the motion of everything around us. A force is measured in newtons and can change an object's speed, its direction of motion, or its shape; when forces cancel out they are balanced. Forces are contact forces (muscular force and friction, which act only on touching) or non-contact forces (magnetic, electrostatic and gravitational, which act across a gap). Gravity is the Earth's attractive pull, and the weight of an object is simply the gravitational force on it, measured in newtons.
- Force
- A push or a pull on an object, arising from its interaction with another object; its SI unit is the newton (N).
- Effects of a force
- A force can change the speed of a moving object, change its direction of motion, or change its shape.
- Balanced forces
- When two or more forces on an object cancel each other out, they are balanced and the object's state of motion does not change.
- Contact forces
- Forces that act only when objects are touching, such as muscular force and friction.
- Muscular force
- The force applied by muscles when they contract; living beings use it to push, pull and lift, and even to move food inside the body.
- Friction
- A contact force that opposes the motion of one surface over another; it is greater on rough surfaces and is reduced by smoothing or oiling.
- Non-contact forces
- Forces that act without the objects touching, such as magnetic, electrostatic and gravitational forces.
- Magnetic force
- A non-contact force of a magnet: like poles (N–N, S–S) repel while unlike poles (N–S) attract.
- Electrostatic force
- A non-contact force between charged objects; rubbing certain materials charges them, a charged object attracts light uncharged objects, and like charges repel.
- Gravitational force
- The Earth's pull on objects towards its centre; it is always attractive and keeps us on the ground.
- Weight
- The gravitational force with which the Earth pulls an object; since it is a force, it is measured in newtons and can differ from one object to another.
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Start this chapter free →Exploring Forces — FAQs
What are the key concepts in Class 8 Science Exploring Forces?+
This chapter explores forces — the pushes and pulls that shape the motion of everything around us. A force is measured in newtons and can change an object's speed, its direction of motion, or its shape; when forces cancel out they are balanced. Forces are contact forces (muscular force and friction, which act only on touching) or non-contact forces (magnetic, electrostatic and gravitational, which act across a gap). Gravity is the Earth's attractive pull, and the weight of an object is simply the gravitational force on it, measured in newtons. Key ideas include Force, Effects of a force, Balanced forces, Contact forces, Muscular force, Friction.
What does Class 8 Science Chapter 5 (Exploring Forces) cover on XamBaaz?+
It has 72 NCERT-based MCQs on "Exploring Forces": 24 Easy, 24 Medium and 24 Hard. Together they make 9 timed quizzes, and you never get the same set twice. Every question has an instant explanation. They help you prepare for CBSE Board exams.
Are these "Exploring Forces" questions free to practise?+
Yes. Sign in with Google to practise "Exploring Forces" free. Full unlimited access is ₹999/year. One year from the day you pay. You stay in Class 8 till 31 March; on 1 April your account moves up to Class 9 and the rest of your year carries over. No chapter is charged separately.
How should I revise "Exploring Forces" for the exam?+
Start with the Easy quiz to check your basics, then try Medium and Hard to practise applying them. There are 9 timed quizzes on this chapter, so you can come back for a fresh set instead of one you have seen. Read each explanation, retry the questions you miss, and track your accuracy until it stays high.
Are these "Exploring Forces" MCQs available with answers?+
Yes. 14 sample questions are shown here in full, each with the correct option and a step-by-step "Why" explanation. Sign in free with Google to start practising, with instant scoring.
Is there negative marking in the "Exploring Forces" quizzes?+
Yes. The timed quizzes use exam-style marking: +4 for a right answer, −1 for a wrong one and 0 for a skip. MHT-CET and CBSE board papers have no negative marking. Our mocks for those are scored their way.
What are the important questions from Exploring Forces (Class 8 Science)?+
The questions that matter most test Force, Effects of a force, Balanced forces, Contact forces, Muscular force, Friction. This page shows 14 solved important MCQs with answers and explanations. Sign in to practise all 72 questions on the chapter as timed quizzes.
Is there an online quiz for Exploring Forces?+
Yes — Class 8 Science Exploring Forces has timed online quizzes at Easy, Medium and Hard levels, with instant scoring and a worked explanation on every question. The first quiz on the chapter is free.