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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 17 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

Acting Across a Gap

3-PS2-3

NameDate

Circle the best answer.

1.A magnet moves a clip through a sheet of paper. What does that show?
  • A.The pull passes through some materials
  • B.Paper is magnetic
  • C.The clip is paper
2.The steel plate stopped the magnet moving the clip. What does that show?
  • A.The clip was tired
  • B.Some materials block the magnetic pull
  • C.Magnets stop working near steel
3.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
4.A rubbed balloon picks up small pieces of paper. What is the cause?
  • A.The balloon is sticky
  • B.The paper is magnetic
  • C.An electric charge on the balloon attracts them
5.Two magnets pushed together the wrong way spring apart. What is the cause?
  • A.Like poles repel each other
  • B.The air pushed them
  • C.They are too heavy
6.How would you show a pull acts across a gap?
  • A.Touch the clip with the magnet
  • B.Measure the distance at which the clip first moves
  • C.Weigh the magnet
7.A clip does not move at 8 cm but does at 4 cm. What does distance do?
  • A.The nearer the magnet, the stronger the effect
  • B.Further is stronger
  • C.Distance makes no difference
8.A paperclip jumps to a magnet 4 cm away. What does that show?
  • A.Something invisible pushed it
  • B.The clip was already moving
  • C.A magnet can pull without touching

LessonPrint · 3-PS2-3 · Set 17 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Acting Across a Gap

Set 17. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.The pull passes through some materials
  2. 2.Some materials block the magnetic pull
  3. 3.Moving the magnet nearer causes the clip to move
  4. 4.An electric charge on the balloon attracts them
  5. 5.Like poles repel each other
  6. 6.Measure the distance at which the clip first moves
  7. 7.The nearer the magnet, the stronger the effect
  8. 8.A magnet can pull without touching

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.

All Grade 3 worksheets

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to 3-PS2-3 of the Next Generation Science Standards.