Grade 3 Science · Force, Motion, and Energy
Virginia SOL 3.2
Virginia SOL 3.2 is part of the Force, Motion, and Energy strand in Grade 3 Science (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students investigate and understand how force and motion are related and how simple machines work. Below is what 3.2 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice 3.2 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL 3.2 means
Investigate and understand how force and motion are related and how simple machines work.
Practice Grade 3 Science SOL questions
Free Grade 3 Science questions from official Virginia Department of Education released SOL tests — good practice while you work on 3.2 and the rest of the course. Pick an answer to check it instantly, or open “Show answer” to review.
1. Near a house are these things: a gravel driveway, a dirt pile, stepping stones, and soil under grass. Which thing will wash away the MOST during a heavy rain?
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Answer: B — Dirt pile
2. For a plant to stay alive indoors, where does it need to be placed?
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Answer: J — Near a sunny place
3. Students want to know how big the leaves of an oak tree are. The BEST way to measure the size of the leaves is to —
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Answer: G — use a ruler
4. Soil is important to a forest because the soil —
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Answer: C — provides nutrients to the trees
Skills you’ll practice for 3.2
- Investigate how the direction and size of force affects the motion of an object.
- Recognize that multiple forces may act on an object.
- Recognize that the net force on an object determines how an object moves.
- Recognize that simple machines increase or change the direction of a force.
- Recognize that simple and compound machines have many applications.
Key concepts covered by 3.2
- force
- motion
- direction
- force size
- object movement
- multiple forces
- balanced forces
- unbalanced forces
- net force
- object motion
- force calculation
- simple machines
- force direction
- mechanical advantage
- compound machines
- machine applications
- real-world examples
How to study and practice SOL 3.2
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether 3.2 is already solid, then work each skill above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see our Virginia SOL practice tests guide and how to study for the SOL test.
Frequently asked questions about SOL 3.2
What is Virginia SOL 3.2?
SOL 3.2 is a Grade 3 Science Standard of Learning in the Force, Motion, and Energy strand. It expects students to investigate and understand how force and motion are related and how simple machines work.
What skills does SOL 3.2 cover?
SOL 3.2 is assessed on 5 skills: investigate how the direction and size of force affects the motion of an object; recognize that multiple forces may act on an object; recognize that the net force on an object determines how an object moves; recognize that simple machines increase or change the direction of a force; recognize that simple and compound machines have many applications.
What strand of Grade 3 Science is SOL 3.2 in?
SOL 3.2 belongs to the Force, Motion, and Energy reporting strand of the Grade 3 Science Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL 3.2?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether 3.2 is already solid, then work the 5 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.