New
New
Lesson 3 of 13
New
New
- Year 5
Friction: plan
I can plan an investigation to measure the effects of friction.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Friction is the force between two surfaces that are moving, or trying to move, across each other.
- Friction always acts in the opposite direction to the movement of an object.
- Only changing one variable ensures that no other factor affects the test results.
Keywords
Surface - The surface is the top or outside layer of an object or material.
Force - A force is a push or a pull. Forces can make objects move, change speed, change direction or change shape.
Friction - Friction is a force that acts between surfaces.
Variable - A variable is something that can be changed, measured or kept the same in an investigation.
Common misconception
Friction is always unhelpful.
Examples given of positive uses of friction for braking and turning.
This lesson focuses on the working scientifically skill of planning a comparative test investigation within the context of comparing the friction of different types of surfaces. Pupils will carry out and review their investigation in lesson 4 of this unit.
Teacher tip
Equipment
See additional materials.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Does an object experience more friction when moving across a rough surface or a smooth surface?
Does an object experience more friction when moving across a rough surface or a smooth surface?
a smooth surface
Q2.What can forces do to an object?
What can forces do to an object?
Change its colour.
Make it heavier.
Q3.Which of these describes a surface?
Which of these describes a surface?
The space around an object.
The area beneath an object.
The inside of an object.
Q4.Which of these words describes how an object can move or be moved by a force?
Which of these words describes how an object can move or be moved by a force?
push
pull
Q5.What type of meter do you measure the size of forces?
What type of meter do you measure the size of forces?
Q6.Magnets can pull certain objects towards them from a distance. What type of force is magnetism?
Magnets can pull certain objects towards them from a distance. What type of force is magnetism?
contact
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Friction is the force between two objects, or that are moving, or trying to move, across each other.
Friction is the force between two objects, or that are moving, or trying to move, across each other.
Q2.What is a variable in an experiment?
What is a variable in an experiment?
A tool used to collect data.
A measurement of the final result of the experiment.
Q3.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?
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?
the floor surface
the equipment used to measure the size of the force
Q4.In an investigation we should control...
In an investigation we should control...
one variable.
all variables.
no variables.
Q5.Friction always works in the direction to the movement of an object.
Friction always works in the direction to the movement of an object.
Q6.Why is it important to change only one variable in a scientific investigation?
Why is it important to change only one variable in a scientific investigation?
To make the experiment quicker and easier to do.
To make the experiment more complicated and harder to analyse.
