The surface is the top or outside layer of an object or material.

A force is a push or a pull. Forces can make objects move, change speed, change direction or change shape.

Friction is a force that acts between surfaces.

A variable is something that can be changed, measured or kept the same in an investigation.

Friction: plan

Science

Introduction to gravity

Pushes and pulls

Friction: do and review

Air resistance: plan

Air resistance: do and review

Water resistance: plan

Water resistance: do and review

How levers can help us

How pulleys can help us

How gears can help us

Simple machines

Design and development of machines

In this Forces and simple machines unit, pupils learn that air resistance, water resistance and friction push back against moving objects. In this Forces unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to accurately describe and explain the actions of forces in a range of situations.

In the Simple forces including magnets unit, pupils learnt to compare how things move on different surfaces. In this Forces including simple machines unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to identify the effects of air resistance, water resistance and friction, that act between moving surfaces

This unit covers the effects of gravity, air resistance, water resistance, and friction on objects. It explores how mechanisms like levers, pulleys, and gears magnify forces. Emphasis is on taking precise measurements, recording complex data, and presenting findings.

Forces including simple machines

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Friction is the force between two objects, or {{}} that are moving, or trying to move, across each other.

Something that is changed, measured or controlled in an experiment.

A measurement of the final result of the experiment.

the equipment used to measure the size of the force

If the enquiry question is, "Does the type of sports shoe affect the amount of friction created between the shoe and the floor?", which variable should you change?

Friction always works in the {{}} direction to the movement of an object.

To make the experiment quicker and easier to do.

To make the experiment more complicated and harder to analyse.

To make sure we know which variable caused the change.

Why is it important to change only one variable in a scientific investigation?

Does an object experience more friction when moving across a rough surface or a smooth surface?

The top or outside layer of an object or material.

Which of these words describes how an object can move or be moved by a force?

What type of meter do you measure the size of forces?

Magnets can pull certain objects towards them from a distance. What type of force is magnetism?

Friction: plan

Lesson outcome

Content guidance