New
New
Reducing emissions from transport
I can describe how to travel in ways that reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Lesson 5 of 6
New
New
- Year 8
Reducing emissions from transport
I can describe how to travel in ways that reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Cars use more energy to travel 100 km if they are heavier or travel at higher speeds.
- Cars use less energy if their tyres are inflated to the correct air pressure
- Walking and cycling regularly improve a person’s physical health
- Well-planned infrastructure for cycling, walking and public transport make it easier and safer to travel without a car
Keywords
Efficiency - the fraction of energy supplied to an object or system that is usefully transferred
Streamlined - shaped to reduce drag forces
Infrastructure - the set of facilities and systems that serve an area
Common misconception
Driving at a high speed does not have much effect on the amount of energy a car uses for a whole journey.
Discuss the idea that the faster a car travels, the greater the drag force pushing back on the car. A good analogy is walking slowly or quickly through water in a swimming pool - it's much harder to walk quickly because of the increased drag.
For task B, pupils could be provided with a map of the school and local area on which they could draw their ideas, rather than describe them in prose.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
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.What is the drag force on a moving bus?
What is the drag force on a moving bus?
The force of the road on the bus.
The force of the bus on the road.
The force of the bus on the air.
Q2.Which direction does the drag force act on a moving car?
Which direction does the drag force act on a moving car?
In the direction of the wind.
Opposite to the direction of the wind.
In the direction the car is moving in.
Q3.Why does a moving car have less drag than a bus moving at the same speed?
Why does a moving car have less drag than a bus moving at the same speed?
Fewer people are travelling in the car.
The car has less mass than the bus.
The car has narrower tyres than the bus.
Q4.Which statement about the drag acting on a car is correct?
Which statement about the drag acting on a car is correct?
Drag on the car does not change as it speeds up.
Drag on the car decreases as it speeds up.
Q5.What word is used to describe cars that are shaped to reduce drag?
What word is used to describe cars that are shaped to reduce drag?
Q6.How do electric vehicles help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
How do electric vehicles help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Generating electricity does not produce greenhouse gases.
Manufacturing an electric vehicle does not produce greenhouse gases.
electric vehicles are much lighter than petrol vehicles.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Two petrol cars make the same journey. The one that uses less petrol is more what?
Two petrol cars make the same journey. The one that uses less petrol is more what?
Q2.What helps an electric car to use less charge to make a journey?
What helps an electric car to use less charge to make a journey?
Carrying a heavy load.
Carrying an extra passenger.
Driving as quickly as speed limits allow.
Q3.What is not a benefit of driving a petrol car at 60 mph on a motorway, instead of at 70 mph?
What is not a benefit of driving a petrol car at 60 mph on a motorway, instead of at 70 mph?
reduces greenhouse gas emissions
reduces pollution
saves money
Q4.What is the best definition of infrastructure?
What is the best definition of infrastructure?
the buildings in a town or city
the road network connecting towns and cities
the public transport system across the country
Q5.What infrastructure can encourage fewer journeys by car?
What infrastructure can encourage fewer journeys by car?
roundabouts
Q6.What infrastructure does not encourage more journeys by bicycle?
What infrastructure does not encourage more journeys by bicycle?
cycle lanes separated from other traffic
secure bicycle parking
wider cycle lanes
