Forces are the pushes and pulls that objects exert on each other.

We say that objects exert forces on other objects.

The speed of an object is how fast it is going.

The mass of an object can be thought of as the amount of material making up the object.

What forces do

Science

In the Hidden forces unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn about turning forces, forces that hold objects on a surface, and those that make some objects float.

In primary science, pupils learnt that air resistance, water resistance and friction push back against moving objects. 

Forces

The speed of an object can only be changed if a {{}} acts.

Which answer gives the best summary of what friction does?

A force is a push or a pull from another object.

Which is the best definition of what a force is?

a 3 g table-tennis ball at a speed of 10 m/s

a 160 g cricket ball at a speed of 10 m/s

Which would need the greatest force to stop it?

the force between the hand and the balloon

Which is the best way of describing the force represented by the arrow?

A heavier ball, hit with the same speed, would be more difficult to stop.

A heavier ball would need a greater force from the club to reach the same speed.

A heavier ball would change direction more, under the same force from the wind.

The path of a golf ball is shown. It was struck with a golf club but then blown off course by the wind. Sophia suggests using a heavier golf ball would help. Identify the **false** statement.

When one object pushes or pulls on another object, what do we call the push or pull?

If they were thrown at the same speed, would a tennis ball (60 g) or a cricket ball (160 g) be harder to stop?

Forces can change the direction of an object's motion.

Forces can change the material an object is made of.

Forces can change the speed of an object.

Forces make things change. Which of the following statements are true? 

A gravitational force (a downwards pull from Earth).

An upthrust force (an upwards push from the water).

Air resistance (a backwards force from the air as the boat moves through it).

Drag (a backwards force from the water, sometimes called 'water resistance').

A forwards force caused by the boat's motor.

Which of the following forces act on the moving speedboat? The speedboat is driving forwards.

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

What forces do

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.