Frictional forces are forces that act between the surfaces of objects.

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

A material's properties are its qualities, such as how hard or soft it is or whether it is rough or smooth.

Different surfaces in real life (non-statutory)

Science

Different surfaces: plan

Different surfaces: do and review

Contact forces

Magnetic force (non-statutory)

Magnetic force at a distance

Different magnets and their parts

Strongest magnet (non-statutory)

Magnetic and non-magnetic materials

Putting magnets together: attract or repel

Blocking magnetic force

Using magnets to solve problems (non-statutory: Scientists and Engineers)

In this Simple forces including magnets unit, pupils learn to compare how things move on different surfaces. In the 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

In the Everyday materials unit, pupils learnt to compare and group together materials on the basis of their simple physical properties. In this Simple forces including magnets unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to compare and group materials on the basis of whether they are attracted to a magnet or not

This unit explores how objects move on different surfaces and examines magnetic forces, including attraction, repulsion, and magnetic materials. It covers identifying magnetic poles and predicting interactions and emphasizes practical tests, observations, and presenting findings.

Simple forces including magnets

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Use of equipment that may require supervision for safety, e.g. scissors in KS1, needles, paint, knives, cooking.

Which of the following can be caused by frictional forces?

When scientists and engineers design products, they choose materials that are suitable based on their {{}}.

A large amount of frictional force can be helpful for which two of the following products?

When I rub the palms of my hands together, this creates a frictional force, and I can feel {{}}.

the sides of a matchbox where you strike the match

When products are made, materials are chosen based on their properties. Which of these products would need a material that creates a high frictional force?

In which sport would frictional forces be unhelpful?

Which word is used to describe what a material can do or how it behaves?

The rougher the surface, the {{}} the frictional force.

Starting with the surface that would produce the least frictional force, order these surfaces by how much they would slow down a marble travelling on them.

Starting with the ice rink, order these surfaces by the amount of frictional force they would produce when an object moves across them.

Match each investigation feature with its description.

Starter Quiz

forces slow down moving objects.