Acting Across a Gap is a free printable Grade 3 science worksheet on cause and effect in electric and magnetic interactions without contact, aligned to Common Core standard 3-PS2-3. It prints 8 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two pupils in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.
Set 1 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
A.Measure the distance at which the clip first moves
B.Weigh the magnet
C.Touch the clip with the magnet
2.A magnet moves a clip through a sheet of paper. What does that show?
A.Paper is magnetic
B.The clip is paper
C.The pull passes through some materials
3.The steel plate stopped the magnet moving the clip. What does that show?
A.Magnets stop working near steel
B.The clip was tired
C.Some materials block the magnetic pull
4.Two magnets pushed together the wrong way spring apart. What is the cause?
A.Like poles repel each other
B.They are too heavy
C.The air pushed them
5.A paperclip jumps to a magnet 4 cm away. What does that show?
A.Something invisible pushed it
B.A magnet can pull without touching
C.The clip was already moving
6.Why is the magnet's effect a cause-and-effect relationship?
A.Moving the magnet nearer causes the clip to move
B.Because it is interesting
C.Because clips are metal
7.A clip does not move at 8 cm but does at 4 cm. What does distance do?
A.Further is stronger
B.Distance makes no difference
C.The nearer the magnet, the stronger the effect
8.A rubbed balloon picks up small pieces of paper. What is the cause?
A.An electric charge on the balloon attracts them
B.The paper is magnetic
C.The balloon is sticky
LessonPrint · 3-PS2-3 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Acting Across a Gap
Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.
1.Measure the distance at which the clip first moves
2.The pull passes through some materials
3.Some materials block the magnetic pull
4.Like poles repel each other
5.A magnet can pull without touching
6.Moving the magnet nearer causes the clip to move
7.The nearer the magnet, the stronger the effect
8.An electric charge on the balloon attracts them
Questions about Acting Across a Gap
What does the Acting Across a Gap worksheet cover?
It practises cause and effect in electric and magnetic interactions without contact — 8 questions for Grade 3, all on Common Core 3-PS2-3: Ask what causes two objects to attract or repel without touching. The instruction to pupils is “Circle the best answer”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.
Which Common Core standard does Acting Across a Gap practise?
3-PS2-3 — 3-PS2-3, in the Physical Science domain for Grade 3. The published standard reads: “Ask questions to determine cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other.” The worksheet assesses that standard rather than a paraphrase of it.
What age or grade is this worksheet for?
Acting Across a Gap is written for Grade 3, typically ages 8-9. It is one of the sheets on 3-PS2-3, so it suits any pupil working at that standard — including older pupils revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.
Does Acting Across a Gap come with an answer key?
Yes. All 8 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.
How many different versions of Acting Across a Gap can I print?
25 — one per pupil, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.
Is Acting Across a Gap free to print and photocopy?
Yes. Acting Across a Gap, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.
Is there a lesson plan to teach 3-PS2-3?
Yes — “Acting Across a Gap” is a 55-minute Grade 3 plan for 3-PS2-3, timed section by section, with the misconceptions to expect and an exit ticket. Acting Across a Gap is the practice that follows it.
More practice for 3-PS2-3
Ask what causes two objects to attract or repel without touching.
Teaching this next? Acting Across a Gap is the 55-minute plan for it, with the misconceptions to expect.