New
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Lesson 8 of 10
New
New
- Year 8
Streamlining
I can explain how streamlining reduces drag.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Streamlining reduces drag.
- Streamlining reduces how much a fluid needs to be pushed out of the way for an object to move through it.
- The drag force on an object moving through a fluid (liquid or gas) increases with speed.
- Streamlining can increase the top speed of a vehicle.
Keywords
Drag - When an object moves through a liquid or a gas (a fluid), a drag force acts on it as it pushes particles out of its way.
Air resistance - The drag force on an object moving through air is called air resistance.
Streamlined - A streamlined object is shaped to reduce the drag forces acting on it.
Water resistance - The drag force on an object moving through water is called water resistance.
Common misconception
Pupils often do not recognise the existence of a drag force on an object moving through air.
Demonstrate the effect of drag forces by dropping pieces or paper (folded and unfolded) and show they reach the ground at different times.
A vacuum pump connected to a sturdy glass tube tube with a feather inside can be used to demonstrate falling without an atmosphere.
Teacher tip
Equipment
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.Which of these is used to mean the overall effect of a combination of forces, taking their direction into account?
Which of these is used to mean the overall effect of a combination of forces, taking their direction into account?
the ultimate force
the final force
the total force
the force sum
Q2.Air resistance is an example of what kind of force?
Air resistance is an example of what kind of force?
tension
gravitational
upthrust
non-contact
Q3.When a resultant force acts on an object it can speed up or slow down. What word is used to describe an increase in speed?
When a resultant force acts on an object it can speed up or slow down. What word is used to describe an increase in speed?
Q4.The figure shows the forces on a van. What is happening to the van?
The figure shows the forces on a van. What is happening to the van?
It must be stationary.
It is slowing down.
It is moving backwards.
It is moving at a constant speed.
Q5.A person pulls on a stationary box. It starts moving towards them. Which statement is correct.
A person pulls on a stationary box. It starts moving towards them. Which statement is correct.
The size of the pull must be greater than the weight of the box.
The size of the pull must be less than the weight of the box.
The size of the pull is less than the friction between the box and the floor.
Q6.Which of these are parts of Newton's first law of motion? When there is no resultant force ...
Which of these are parts of Newton's first law of motion? When there is no resultant force ...
a stationary object will start to move.
a moving object will slow down.
a moving object will change direction.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the key words with the explanations.
Match the key words with the explanations.
Q2.A car is travelling at high speed and opens a parachute. Which force increases when the parachute is opened?
A car is travelling at high speed and opens a parachute. Which force increases when the parachute is opened?
Q3.Which features of a rocket-propelled car will allow it to reach a very high speed?
Which features of a rocket-propelled car will allow it to reach a very high speed?
it creates high air resistance
it produces a large drag force
Q4.A sky diver jumps out of an aeroplane and speeds up until they reach a top speed. Which statements are true?
A sky diver jumps out of an aeroplane and speeds up until they reach a top speed. Which statements are true?
The weight of the skydiver has reached zero.
The drag of the skydiver has reached zero.
There are no vertical forces acting on the skydiver.
Q5.Four identical marbles are dropped from the same height into containers of different fluids. Starting with the shortest time, put them into order of how long it takes them to reach the bottom.
Four identical marbles are dropped from the same height into containers of different fluids. Starting with the shortest time, put them into order of how long it takes them to reach the bottom.
Q6.Which of these statements explains why streamlining can increase the maximum speed of a lorry.
Which of these statements explains why streamlining can increase the maximum speed of a lorry.
Streamlining will reduce the mass of the lorry.
Streamlining increases the maximum driving force of the lorry.
A streamlined lorry will fit between air particles and avoid hitting them.
