Friction: plan
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan an investigation to measure the effects of friction.
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.
Teacher tip
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.
Equipment
See additional materials.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
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?
Q2.What can forces do to an object?
Q3.Which of these describes a surface?
Q4.Which of these words describes how an object can move or be moved by a force?
Q5.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?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.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?
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?
Q4.In an investigation we should control...
Q5.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?
To help you plan your 5 science lesson on: Friction: plan, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 science lesson on: Friction: plan, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 science lessons from the Forces including simple machines unit, dive into the full primary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.